January 2019 Issue 122 by Cowichan Valley Voice

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JANUARY 2019 ISSUE 122 OUR MUNICIPAL FORESTS I SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE I NEW YEAR CLEANSING I LOCAL ARTS

A HUGE thank you to BC Hydro for all the hard work and tireless hours spent in Cowichan to help everyone resume power in their homes and businesses. All those late night hours. overovertime shifts dedicated to our community did not go unnoticed. Special thanks also goes to all our volunteer fire departments, first responders, doctors, nurses, municipal workers and all the kindhearted neigbbours and friends in every corner of this community who came to help each other with chainsaws

boughs, extra freezer spaces and all the random tips to help keep food cold!

BC Hydro, All The Fire Departments, First Responders, Kind Hearted Neighbours, Patient Businesses, Off Duty Arborists And All Friends Everywhere Who Helped Each Other To Weather The Storm

of every size, rakes, bins, tea, cookies, coffee, meals, showers,

food, cake, ice, candles, torches, fuel, generators, Christmas

As a result of the power outage many articles. images, events and ads did not make it into this issue on time to be included or proofed properly. We apologize for the inconvenience, but more importantly did want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone that helped another person out in this storm. We are a wonderful community of heroes and should feel proud!

Island Artist Showcase Imagine That!, 251 Craig St., Duncan Runs to February 3 Resthouse Year End Clearance Sale 126 Station Street, Downtown Duncan Runs to January 19

Farm Table Inn Closed for Winter Break till 01/23

Cardino Shoes Annual Winter Shoe and Boot Sale begins runs for the month of January 165 Craig St, Downtown Duncan

Wharncliffe Rd, Bring a mug and toonie.

New ongoing Thursday morning Wild Goose Qigong classes begin Upstairs at the HUB, 8:45~10am, taught by Sifu Lee Masters. All welcome, start any time. See WildGooseQigongCentre.com, 250 748 4060

Beaded Ladder Bracelet 3:30 - 5:30 - Bring a button with you for a clasp! #2 - 378 Trunk Road $15 + Materials

Quaker (Friends) meeting at 10:30 at St. Ann’s Garden Club at Providence Farm. Free and open to everyone. For more information visit cowichanvalley.quaker.ca Kaiut Yoga, 6.30-7.30pm, 7999 Glenhurst Dr, Crofton, Free to new students, Tel 250 416 9916 also 15/22/29

Cowichan Valley Prostate Cancer Support Group — Coffee Hour 2pm Canadian Cancer Society, 103–225 Canada Avenue (Canada Building) FREE

Fabrications Semi-Annual Winter Sale, Fabrications, 125 Kenneth St, Downtown Duncan runs to January 19

Aging and Our Cowichan Community Health Programs, 10am, Cowichan Golf and Country Club, 4955 TransCanada Hwy at Bench Rd., FREE (for 3 meetings)

Traditional Square Dance, 7:30PM, Cobble Hill Community Hall, 3550 Watson Ave. Info. 250-597-4393 $10 donation

Collective Space Movie Night: Fractured Land, 6:30pm, Collective Space, 166 Station St, Duncan, $12, collectivespace.org/ hooviemovie

Kaiut Yoga, 9.30 - 10.30am, 7999 Glenhurst Dr, Crofton, Free to new students, Tel 250 416 9916 also 14/21/28 Namaste Yoga w/ Lilian Bianchi Winter Session begins Beginners, Intermediate and Ongoing 250-746-0327 “Fungi in the Forests”, 9:30am, Fish Health Bdlg, 1080

Kaiut Yoga, 10 - 11.30am, 7999 Glenhurst Dr, Crofton, Free to new students, Tel 250 416 9916 also 16 Start up rehearsal for Cowichan Consort Choir at Sylvan United Church 7-9pm. Prep for May 4th concert. All singers welcome, especially men Body Resonance- Meditation & Crystal sound bath w/Venita 9:30-10:30am Sun Room @ Sol Centre $44/4 classes or $15 drop-in info/pre-register: info.sparkthelight@gmail.com also 16/23/30

Kaiut Yoga, 5-6pm, 7999 Glenhurst Dr, Crofton, Free to new students, Tel 250 416 9916 also 17/24/31

Dr. John Scull will resume his free one-hour nature-connecting events on Saturdays at 1:30. Meet at Rotary Park at the end of McKinstry Rd. in Duncan. Free and open to everyone. Dress for the weather and please arrive on time. For more information call 250715-5261 Tropic Mayhem, Osborne Bay Pub, 8PM $10. Crofton Hotel and Pub, 1534 Joan Avenue, Crofton.

Morgan Childs Quartet, 2pm Sunday Jazz $15 Osborne Bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave, Crofton

“Who Speaks for Wolf”, 7:30pm, Fish Health Bdlg, 1080 Wharncliffe Rd, WhoSpeaksForWolf.com , Bring a mug and toonie.

6:30pm, Collective Space, 166 Station St, $12, collectivespace.org/ hooviemovie Beaded Starfish Pendant. 4pm - 6pm Create a bit of Summertime in the Winter! #2 - 378 Trunk Road $15 + Materials Vince Vaccaro-concert for Alaska 8PM Duncan Showroom, 131 Station St, Duncan $20/$18adv Deborah Pitre and Kenneth Ermter Duo Osborne Bay Pub, 8PM Crofton Hotel and Pub, 1534 Joan Avenue, Crofton No Cover

Be Our Guest ! The Music of Disney Medford Singers w/special guests the Drinkwater Elementary School Choir Lake Cowichan Christian Fellowship Church 2:00 pm Tickets are$17 in advance, $ 20 at the door; children 12 and under free ‘Journey into Natural Homes’ Seminar with Elke Cole, 10-4 pm, Collective Space, 166 Station St. Duncan, $80, http://elkecole.com/workshops Free Yin Yoga Class w/ Nadia, 6:00-7:30pm Harmony Yoga Centre, 360 Duncan St. Duncan, www. HarmonyYogaDuncan.com David Gogo Band 8PM Duncan Showroom, 131 Station St, Duncan $30/$25adv

Collective Space Movie Night: Amplify Her,

La Petite Auction House Auction Sunday JAN 27, FEB 10 & 24 • 1pm

Viewings

WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY 11am-4pm SATURDAY 1-4pm SAME DAY viewings 10am-1pm To consign email dawngeddie@gmail.com

9686 Chemainus Rd, 250-701-2902 4

Valley Voice Magazine -Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Be Our Guest ! The Music of Disney Medford Singers w/special guests the Drinkwater Elementary School Choir Duncan United Church at 2pm Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 at the door; children 12 and under free Swing Shift Big Band, 2pm Sunday Jazz $20 Osborne Bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave, Crofton Quaker (Friends) meeting at 10:30 at St. Ann’s Garden Club at Providence Farm. Free and open to everyone. cowichanvalley.quaker.ca

Kaiut Yoga, 9.3010.30am 7999 Glenhurst Dr, Crofton, Free to new students, Tel 250 416 9916 also 30

South Island Rhythm Kings, Osborne Bay Pub, 8PM $10. Crofton Hotel and Pub, 1534 Joan Avenue, Crofton.lazymikemallonmusic. net/ The International Guitar Night 7:30pm Cowichan Performing Centre, 2687 James St, Duncan 250 748 7529

High Quadra Ramblers Live in the Chapel at Providence Farm presented by Barely North Entertainment $20 Ray, Jack and Ken $5 Osborne Bay Pub, 8PM Crofton Hotel and Pub, 1534 Joan Avenue, Crofton No Cover

Elaine Lakeman Quintet, 2pm Sunday Jazz $15 Osborne Bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave, Crofton Auction Sunday La Petite Auction House 1pm Same Day Viewings 10am-1pm 9686 Chemainus Rd 250 701-2902

Evergreen Independent School Open House 6-8PM 3515 Watson Ave www.evergreenbc.net 250743-2433

Evergreen Independent School Open House 10am-12 Noon 3515 Watson Ave www.evergreenbc.net 250-743-2433

Byzantine Link Bracelet. 3:30 - 5:30 pm - An adventure into basic Chain Mail. #2 - 378 Trunk Road $15 + Materials

EARLY FEBRUARY

VINOTECA AT ZANATTA

Duncan Christian School Kindergarten Open House 9:30-11AM 495 Beech Avenue, Duncan. Please call 250 746 3654 www. duncan christianschool.ca

02/02/02 Westholme Tea Company Season Opening Annual Seconds Sale 2pm Wear your tutu! 8350 Richards Trail, Westholme www. westholmetea.com

Join us for Lunch Wed - Sun. Dinner on the Weekends. Brunch on Sundays. Event Shuttle Available through

vinoteca.ca

5039 Marshall Rd, Duncan I 250 709 2279

Cowichan Valley Cancer Support Group 10:30 am – 12 noon Canadian Cancer Society, 103–225 Canada Avenue (Canada Building) FREE Elate Make Up Event 3-6pm Soul Escape Spa Organic Spa, 2673 Beverly St (Thrifty’s Plaza) 250 748 2056 Book in advance

Cowichan Valley Prostate Cancer Support Group — Monthly Group 2pm Canadian Cancer Society, 103–225 Canada Avenue (Canada Building) FREE

CALL FOR ARTISTS Cowichan Valley’s Largest Open Art Exhibition & Sale Artist In Person Registration April 4 & 5 On-line registration April 4-12 PORTALS & Cowichan Suite • Island Savings Centre, 2687 James St., Duncan www.cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca 250.746.1633 cvartscouncil@shaw.ca

January 2019 Issue 122 Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Publisher Richard Badman Editor Sheila Badman Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com 250 746 9319 6514 Wicks Rd, Duncan BC V9L 5V2 Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Distribution Proofreading Lucas Goris & Diana Pink Mindy Goldberg Advertising Enquiries Please Contact Adrienne Richards 250 510 6596 e-mail adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Next Ad Deadline December 18 for January 2019 Issue 122 *Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire. COMMUNITY CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE! Next EVENTS DEADLINE January 15 for February 2019 Issue E-mail: Date, Event Title, Time, Location and Cost w/ subject “EVENT” to events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/or edit submitted listings due to space limitations

SPECIAL THANKS TO FOLLOWING VALLEY VOICES Mark Holford, Margie vanBoven, Heather Kaye, Nanita Nair, Michele Jewab, Lee Masters, Helena Jehnichen, Monica Dockerty, Nicola Constantine-Macdonald, Carrie McDonell, Mrs. Castella, Bob Coates, Tom Mommsen, Elke Cole, Margit Nellemann, Richard Badman, Michelle Bird, Melissa Brown, Rebecca Llewellyn, Venita Chow and Carolina Brand-Venegas Tracey Hanson, Diana Pink, Lindsay Campa, Caitlin McKenna, Icel Jane Dobell, Vida Glaser, Debbie Wood, Sarah Smith, Alistair MacGregor, Catherine Fraser, Bob Skelton, Nicolette Genier and The Wonderful Staff at The Community Farm Store, David Suzuki and The Lovely Georgia Nicols We welcome your story ideas & photo submissions, however Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/ or edit all submissions for space, clarity, content and style. The opinions expressed in Valley Voice Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers or other contributors. Please send a query e-mail with your suggested topic prior to sending your article as space is limited and may not always be available. Valley Voice Magazine is distributed through 450 + select locations throughout the Cowichan Valley- Malahat, Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Cherry Point, Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Crofton, Chemainus and Salt Spring Island and to Cowichan Lake, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Victoria, Tofino

January Cover: by Chris Istace “I am a writer, photographer and community advocate calling the Cowichan Valley home. Embracing the beauty that is our region and working to inspire others to find their own connection to nature. The image was shot during a late winter hike along Bings Creek drainage on Mt Prevost. When the rains of winter bring flowing waters and vibrant greens as the forest comes to life.” Mindful Explorer www.chrisistace.com

OUR COMMUNITY December Events 4-5 Downtown Duncan Pages 16-19 Stop Smoking With Helena Jehnichen 21 Montessori Education in Shawnigan Lake 24 Evergreen Independent School Open House 25 Take a Tour at Duncan Christian School 28 The Tempest And The Trees 36-39 Annual Forecasts by Georgia Nicols 47-58 Alistair MacGregor 62 Community Farm Store Pages 64-65 Directory 68-69 Cowichan Valley Probus Club 71 LOCAL FOOD & DRINK Musings from the Vines 8 Cittaslow Cowichan: Cowichan Milk Company 9 HOME, FARM & GARDEN Raising It Right 12 Six Garden Books for Cowichan Valley Gardeners 22 The Salish Sea Renewable Energy Cooperative 30 Natural Homes Are Good For You 33 Listing Your Home in the New Year 60 Talk About Co-Owning A Home 61

A I F M a M c a t s C m I b v L R

S e s w

LOCAL ARTS South Island Rhythm Kings 7 International Guitar Night 11 Jazz Vocalist Elaine Lakeman 14 Medford Singers Present The Music of Disney 20 What Is A Second 34 Catherine Fraser Isle of Iona 71 BODY, MIND & SOUL New Wild Goose Qigong Class at The Hub 15 Sol Pages 26-27 Family Values For A New Year 32 Colon Hydrotherapy 41 The Vagus Nerve and the Gut-Brain Superhighway 42 What Can Your Gut Do For You 43 I’ve Returned From The Fire With A Story To Tell 44 Yoga For Wellness 45 What Will 2019 Bring? 46 New Beginnings With Crystals And Ritual 59 How To Grow Your Willpower 66 PETS, RECREATION & NATURE Who Speaks for Wolf 22 Get Into The Glades 40 Lucky Dog Rotary Park 63 David Suzuki 70

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

T a t n L

South Island Rhythm Kings

At the nucleous of the South Island Rhythm Kings is the Father/Son team of Lazy Mike Mallon on vocals and harmonica, and Carson Mallon on guitar and vocals, creating a musical bond and a fresh spin on down home, traditional blues. Father and son team Lazy Mike and Carson Mallon have been a mainstay of the Vancouver Island blues scene for the better part of a decade in various projects including Lazy Mike & the Rockin’ Recliners. Steeped in traditional early electric blues, this duo’s song selection draws from a wide range of artists, notably

Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Big Bill Broonzy, Tampa Red, Johnny Young, and Jimmy Reed, in addition to performing several original compositions. Lazy Mike Mallon, harmonica, and Carson Mallon, guitar, each sing and weave their instrumentation to bring a unique take on traditional roots and blues music. With their good friend, and long time colaborator Dan “Piano Dano” Dube’ on Keys adding some Blues seasoning, Ricky Renouf layin’ it down on Stand Up Bass, and the “Groove Doctor” Nick Dokter on Drums, all locking in to drive the bottom end and forge the band’s downhome rockin’ blues sound! Enjoy them live at the Osborne Bay Pub, January 25, 8PM $10. Crofton Hotel and Pub, 1534 Joan Avenue, Crofton www.lazymike mallonmusic.net/

The Lo-Speed Sessions CD, fifth for Lazy Mike, and third with Son, Carson, is a collection of traditional down home Blues, covers and originals, recorded “live off the floor, no effects” at Lo-Speed Studio in Duncan.

Musings from the Vines Mark Holford, owner and winemarker, Rocky Creek Winery, Cowichan’s most awarded winemaker garnering 105 medals at National and International Competitions.

inter is always an interesting time at the winery. All the hustle and bustle of harvest is over, and once the hectic holiday season is behind us we settle into the

most peaceful spell for us. A little winter pruning, a few markets, and a bit of down time to rest and recharge the batteries. But Mother Nature sometimes has other plans…

crushing everything in their paths. Luckily nothing we can’t fix, except of course the eleven year old vines that will take some time to bring up replacements for.

This year in addition to all the usual winter activities we will be rebuilding fences, replacing posts, re-trellising grapes and replanting. Yes, Mother Nature landed a direct hit on our vineyard during the big storm, knocking many of our neighbours fir trees over into the vineyard

This is one of my favourite recipes and goes great with a crisp white wine for dinner, served with a nice salad and some sourdough bread.

Seared Tuna With A Wasabi Beurre Blanc Ingredients

1 bottle Rocky Creek TLC White 1 tbsp of white wine vinegar 2 minced shallots 6-8oz pp Tuna Steaks or tuna loin

1 tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper 1Tbsp wasabi paste 2 Tbsp soy sauce 1 Cup butter, cut into cubes

This recipe works with either ahi tuna steaks or albacore tuna loins. Season the tuna with olive oil, salt and pepper on all sides. Set aside. I like using our TLC for this, but any flavourful white wine will do – Ortega is another great choice. Pour one glass of wine for the cook, and the rest into a saucepan and add all ingredients to pan. Reduce wine on a boil, until there’s about 1 cup left. Using a slotted spoon remove the shallots and discard. Finish reducing the wine until there is about 2 tbsp left – it should be starting to get thick and dark by this time. Remove from heat, whisk in 1 tbsp of wasabi paste and 2 tbsp of soy sauce and return to heat on low. Whisk one cube of butter at a time into the reduced wine. Keep on low and don’t let it boil (you’re emulsifying the butter, not boiling it). Once all the butter is incorporated take off the heat and keep warm until the tuna is ready. Put a heavy frying pan on a burner, on med-high heat and let it get nice and hot. I use cast iron or steel which are great for searing. Once the pan is smoking hot, add a little olive oil (or avocado oil) and place the tuna in the pan, letting sear for a minute or two on each side. Once seared, pull the tuna out of the pan onto the carving board and slice into portions. Serve with the beurre blanc on top.

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

COME OUT OF THE COLD!

Cowichan Milk Company Cow Barn

Cittaslow Cowichan Brock McLeod Best Farm Practices Nominee Cowichan Milk Company

any of you know us as Vanvalley Farm, or “the farm with the miniature donkeys by the road”. Ben’s parents began Vanvalley Farm on Koksilah Road in Cowichan Station in 1960. They raised their family to be stewards of the land and to respect the animals put in their care. We continue to farm like this today, and we’re fortunate Cowichan Milk Company Ben, Margie, Matthew vanBoven

WE HAVE HOT DRINK ELIXIRS, SAVOURY WHOLESOME SNACKS, DELICIOUS SWEET TREATS AND WARM FRIENDLY PEOPLE.

that our son Matthew has joined us to become the third generation farmer. For a long time, we’ve wanted to provide the Cowichan Valley with local milk. We’ve been working hard the last few years to begin Cowichan Milk Company and are excited to say that we’re nearly ready! We milk and feed 50 Holstein cows with two robots; “Rosie” and the Vector. It might be hard to imagine what this is like, but our cows love it! This gives them free access to milking, eating, drinking, and sleeping whenever they like, with some of the cows going out on pasture in season. The milking robot takes less electricity and water and this is key as we run our whole farm off of 3 gallons/minute. With each cow drinking 150L of water per day, conserving water where we can is very important to us! We grow all of our own grass for our cows’ grass-based diet and make it into silage and hay for them to eat throughout the year. We have been certified with the Environmental Farm Plan and follow Canada’s Proaction program for dairy farmers, ensuring that we sustainably produce high quality, safe, and nutritious food while

demonstrating responsible stewardship of our animals and the environment we share with you. Using vat pasteurization for our milk will retain a higher percentage of the natural enzymes and beneficial bacteria and better preserve the flavour. We’ll offer both unhomogenized and homogenized milk in three sizes of glass bottles, and wash and reuse the returned bottles as many times as possible.

bottle their milk, and offer it to our community - From Grass to Glass! Coming soon! Cowichan Milk Company www.cowichanmilk.ca

We’re grateful that we get to care for our cows, pasteurize and

CITTA SLOW AGM • February 7, 2019 7-9pm Ocean Front Suites, Cowichan Bay

Cittaslow Cowichan

Join us in setting goals for 2019 and welcoming new members to our board. Help us reach out to individuals and businesses across the whole Cowichan Valley to expand our Cittaslow community!

www.cittaslowcowichan.org

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Luca Stricagnoli, Antoine Boyer, Samuelito, Cenk Erdogan

International Guitar Night The International Guitar Night (IGN) is the world’s premier touring guitar festival, each show bringing together the most interesting and innovative acoustic guitarists to exchange musical ideas in a public concert setting. For each tour, IGN founder Brian Gore brings together a new cast of guitar luminaries for special evenings of solos, duets, and quartets that highlight the dexterity and diversity within the world of acoustic guitar. Brian founded IGN in 1995 as a forum for the world’s finest guitarists/ composers to play their latest original songs and share musical ideas and talent with their peers. Luca Stricagnoli, born and raised in Italy, is an acoustic guitarist known for his unique style and innovative playing techniques. His original approach to music has garnered him over 100 million views on YouTube and sold-out shows around the world. Using self-conceived stratagems, modified capos, and up to five guitars in the same piece, Luca continually leaves his audiences

in awe and wondering what’s next for the up-and-coming guitarist. In addition to his musical abilities, Luca brings an enthusiastic energy to the stage that captivates audiences everywhere. Luca recently released his new album What if? in which he explores even more approaches to guitar playing. The first track of the album, featuring a new guitar invented by him and designed by Davide Serracini, once again obtained viral success with over 30 million views online and features in magazines all over the world. www.LucaStricagnoli.com Antoine Boyer drank from the most authentic sources of gypsy jazz. Being a disciple of such masters as Mandino Reinhardt and Francis Moerman, with whom he recorded his first CD-DVD in 2009. The album was acclaimed by French and American critics (Jazzman, Vintage Guitars). Antoine has had the honour of sharing the stage with such renowned musicians as Philip Catherine, Stochelo Rosenberg, Angelo Debarre, Christian Escoudé, and many others. In 2012 Boyer was named “Guitarist of the Year” by Guitarist Magazine, the first gypsy jazz guitarist to receive the honour. www.antoineboyermusic.com

Rock I Funk I Blues I Reggae I Latin I Metal

Paul Jutras

DRUM KIT AND HAND PERCUSSION LESSONS 35+ years experience- Private / One 2 One / Customized / Fun

Beginner to advanced - In your home or in my studio in Duncan

778-422-1034 I chopsdrumschool@gmail.com

Samuel ´Samuelito’ Rouesnel first picked up a guitar at age 7. He followed a dual path of classical and flamenco guitar, studying at the prestigious Conservatoire de Caen in Normandy. Samuelito’s first concert took place on his sixteenth birthday, on the national stage of Caen and was broadcast by french television. It was the beginning of an international career that has led him throughout Europe, The United States and beyond. Deeply attached to the flamenco tradition, both as an interpreter and composer, this young guitarist plays very personal music, his artistic talents have been sought for other kinds of projects such as film scores, album collaborations, master classes, and magazine tutorials. Samuelito has won many prizes for classical and flamenco guitar including the European Guitar Award with Antoine Boyer. www.samuelitomusic. com

LIVE MUSIC JANUARY 26 • $20 HIGH QUADRA RAMBLERS IN THE CHAPEL AT PROVIDENCE FARM

This phenomenal duo fuse Appalachian oldtime with celtic, classical, folk, cajun and original compositions.

FEBRUARY 1 • $20 OLD MAN LUEDECKE IN THE CHAPEL AT PROVIDENCE FARM

Multi-Juno winning Canadian roots treasure. FEBRUARY 7 • $35

ASHLEY MACISAAC W/QUINN BACHAND AT THE DUNCAN CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Iconic Canadian ﬁddler with virtuoso multi-instrumentalist. For more info visit

Cenk Erdoğan was born in Istanbul in www. barelynorth.com 1979. In 1997 he won a four-year scholarship pop. Sezenli Yillar has performed at Istanbul Bilgi University 6 concerts with a 35 piece for Music Composition, he orchestra and visuals and dance graduated with First Class shows. The next year, Cenk Honors. In the years since, Cenk released his latest album, Lahza, has performed around the globe with Swedish drummer Mehmet playing Turkish fretless guitar. Ikiz. Lahza is a guitar & drum He has also been a leading duo project consisting of original fretless guitar educator, setting music and live improvisations. up classes, workshops, and a He performs regularly with his website dedicated to the subject. solo, duo, and trio projets and In 2008 Cenk recorded his first composes in a wide range of album ILE, which was produced musical styles. by Baykus Music. He later www.cenkerdogan.net/ moved into film composition, writing music for the Turkish January 25, 7:30pm Cowichan romance Issiz Adam. The score Performing Centre, 2687 James won Cenk a Yecilcam Award for St, Duncan 250 748 7529 Music. In 2016, he arranged and conducted orchestra music for www.internationalguitarnight.com Sezen Aksu, the queen of Turkish

Raising It RightSustainable, Local Meat And The Farmers Who Make It Possible

uch of the meat consumed in our part of the world comes from factory farms based on mass production where animals live in cramped quarters and are grain-fed for quick growth with little or no access to fresh air or pasture. Vegetarianism or veganism are certainly alternatives, but there is another path for those still wanting to include meat protein in their diets: eating less, but choosing more ethically-raised, sustainable meat and animal products. And, there are many reasons to recommend local, smallscale, free-ranging meat over its factory-farmed counterpart. These include: fewer miles travelled from farm to plate; often a more symbiotic relationship between animal and the land which means a more careful stewardship of animal waste and the environment; a more humane approach to animal care; and, improved nutrition in the end product itself. If we take the “less meat, better meat” strategy, we encourage local farmers in our area to continue the hard work of raising animals where

animal health and care are at the forefront of production practices. In Cowichan, we are blessed with an abundance of meat producers all striving to offer high quality and sustainable options for consumers’ protein needs. Here, we’ve profiled just a few of the farms the Cow-op.ca online farmers’ market works with to bring a variety of sustainable meat options to the table. Here is their take on the how’s and why’s of what they do.

Cedar Beef Cedar Beef comes from Jessica White’s family farm in Cedar. Having farmed there for over 30 years, the family is determined to steward a fertile, healthy land base to sustain their beef cattle and the abundance of natural wildlife that depends on the farm’s rich grasslands. They raise Simmental-Red Angus cattle, which are born onsite and live in a low stress, natural environment. Calves are raised with their mothers and are free to roam lush, fertile pastures throughout the grazing season and, in

winter, are supplemented with homegrown fermented grass silage grown on the adjacent fields. Cedar beef is traditionally dry-aged (hung) for 21 days to relax the meat and intensify the flavour before being hand cut, wrapped, and frozen to maintain freshness. “A major benefit of raising animals on pasture”, explains Jessica, “is that the meat produced is healthier. Grass-fed beef has less total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories compared to conventional feedlot beef; and has more vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and health-promoting fats, including omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).” This combination of genetics, grass-finishing, and dry-aging offers a boutique beef that is highly nutritious, free of added hormones and antibiotics - and full of rich natural flavours.

Boots N’ Roots Permaculture Farm Kelly Grainger in Glenora pasture-raises roasting chickens and bronze turkeys, all antibiotic and hormonefree and fed with non-GMO,

soy-free and corn-free feed. Kelly’s animals have outside access all day and every day. “All the fresh air, pasture and bugs give the birds a better tasting, leaner meat,” she explains. Kelly rotates her pasture area every week, to ensure an abundance of fresh, clean food for the birds to forage in. As a fully devoted Permaculture farm, nothing is wasted at Boots ‘n’ Roots - the manure left from the chickens is hot composted for over a year, and then put into the gardens as fertilizer to grow lovely vegetables. The weeds and ‘ugly’ veggies go back into the chicken and turkey areas for the animals to forage on, creating a very interconnected type of production, only achievable at this small scale.

Muddy Feet Farm At Muddy Feet Farm in Sahtlam, Julia Rylands has pure Tamworth and Berkshire breeding stock which are hardy breeds that love being outside. She sells piglets to local farms and families to grow their own pork, and raises her piglets, selling the

Your one stop shop for natural products for home and body • more • more • more • more • more

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Come in for great natural products, organic produce and so much more!

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healthy snacks natural bulk foods cleaning products vitamin selection household for YOU!

PRODUCE SECTION

9738 Willow St, Chemainus 250-246-9838 Hours Mon-Sat 930-530 • Sun 12-4 Closed Stat holidays

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

pork to families and Chefs on and off the Island. All the pigs range freely in the woods and on the fields throughout the year, housed in mobile pig huts. Rotated onto new areas regularly, they always have something to root up and enjoy. They are also fed fresh veggies and fruit from the Cowichan Green Community Food Recovery program and what is grown on the farm for them, organic spent grain from a local distiller, and whey from Haltwhistle Cheese. “Most supermarket and butcher shop pork comes from barn-raised pigs that are stressed and often bored, where tails are often docked and teeth clipped to avoid cannibalism, and antibiotics and hormones are commonly used. The resulting pork tends to be softer and fattier with not much taste and potential detrimental health effects from the residual hormone and antibiotic use,” explains Julia. “My pigs are very happy and stress free, rooting around with lots of fresh air and exercise. The resulting pork is lean and has tons of flavour and texture.”

Bird’s Eye Cove Farm Located overlooking the beautiful Bird’s Eye Cove in Maple Bay, Bird’s Eye Cove Farm raises their herd of registered Scottish Highland Cattle on almost 200 lush acres. They currently have fourteen breeding cows and liaise with Cherry Point Fold Farm to bring in a registered

bull for the girls. They also have a small breeding herd of Heritage Berkshire pigs, which they raise for pork and weaners for sale to other farms. “Our beef and pork are born and raised in the most humane and holistic way possible,” explains farm co-owner Sara Skoretz, who manages the farm along with Heather Skoretz and Paul Tataryn. “We are blessed with an abundance of open pasture on our farm, so during the spring, summer and fall, our livestock are always on good pasture.” The herd’s winter diet consists of haylage bales produced on the farm as well as access to abundant fresh water and a good mineral lick. There are no growth hormones or supplemental grain feeding as one would expect in a feedlot. As a result, the herd health is high eliminating the need for antibiotics. The resulting beef is low-fat, high in omega3 components. “Grass-fed Highland beef is the best beef you can have for flavour, health and doing what’s right,” says Sara. Locally produced meat often commands a higher price than what is traditionally sold at the chain supermarkets. However, when we take into consideration the individualized care of smaller herds and that these farmers place the quality of an animal’s life and the farm’s impact on the environment above their bottom line, eating less but better-farmed meat is one solid approach to making a meat-based diet work. Heather Kaye, with Cowichan Green Community, coordinates the Cowichan Farm map and the new online farmers’ market, Cow-op.ca.

Honeyvoiced Jazz Vocalist Elaine Lakeman Debuts at Pat’s House Of Jazz

SUNDAY AFTERNOONS

ocal artist and actress Elaine Lakeman hits the stage with a mix of jazzy pop, blues and Latin at 2 p.m. January 27 at Pat’s House of Jazz, Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Avenue, Crofton. $15. Described by fans as dreamy and passionate with a voice like warm liquid honey, Lakeman brings emotion and authenticity along with her music from two albums — her first album, When It Rains, and her newest album of originals, A Time to Dance. The latter expresses “both the joy and pain that comes from living a full life — a celebration of people we miss and good times gone by, along with reminders to enjoy life now and bring happiness to ourselves and others,” says Lakeman. Both albums were produced by her guitarist and musical director, Lloyd English, whose 40-year career includes 2,000 dates in genres as diverse as world music and pop and jazz along with commercial music that has been licensed for use on the Oprah Winfey show, Much Music and several Hollywood films. He recently wrote the background

January 13 2PM I $15

MORGAN CHILDS QUARTET Ryan Oliver on sax Patrick Boyle on trumpet John Lee on bass A melodic drummer-led group explores jazz’s polyrhythms.

music for the television series Homes Makes it Right. Myles English has a degree in classical animation at the Vancouver Film School and is considered to be one of the premiere jazz guitarists on the West Coast. Seven-string jazz guitarist Myles English, drummer David Emery and bassist Louis Rudner round out the quartet. Rudner has a master’s degree in jazz performance from Michigan State University and tours with the Ashley Wey Trio. Emery is a graduate of the Humber College jazz program and has spent several years in Tokyo. Lakeman began performing

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and singing non-stop as a child filled with boundless energy, sometimes to her mother’s chagrin. She ultimately studied theatre and dance at Edmonton’s Grant MacEwan College, which gave her “the opportunity to perform on stage and dance without knocking things over” and, she jokes, “likely saved my parent’s marriage.”

January 20 2PM I $20

SWING SHIFT BIG BAND 17-piece band revives iconic music from the ‘40s & Latin, pop & funk. January 27 2PM I $15

ELAINE LAKEMAN QUINTET A lively show of jazzy pop, blues and Latin.

Osborne Bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave, Crofton

After graduating, Lakeman has had several parts in American films and local professional theatre productions and has toured Europe with a theatre group who entertained troops overseas. Ever versatile, the sultry actress has since re-dedicated herself

to writing and performing as a chanteuse. This is her first show at Pat’s House of Jazz. For reservations call 250-324-2245. Tables will be held until 1:30 p.m.

Gift Baskets & Certificates Cocktail Supplies Meat & Cheese Platters Gourmet Foods Dine In & Take Out

New Wild Goose Qigong Class at The Hub

Lee Masters teaches Wild Goose Qigong at the Rivendell Yurt in Glenora and at The Hub in Cowichan Station.

am very happy to be starting up a new ongoing Wild Goose Qigong class at The HUB in Cowichan Station ~ a centre where very positive people are dedicated to helping the community to build in its strength, connectedness and beauty. Starting on January 10th, I will be teaching at The HUB every Thursday morning from 8:45~10, in addition to my existing regular classes. The Wild Goose Qigong skill, ancient Chinese exercise for health originating 1800 years ago, has proven to be very beneficial in improving and maintaining good health, physically, mentally and emotionally, nurturing and balancing the energy in our internal organs. Designed by Daoist monks for health and longevity and inspired by the powerful attributes of the Wild Goose, we can learn to relax and develop good posture, both of which help our Qi to flow better, and to move in ways that will allow energy or Qi which has been stuck in the body for too long to be refreshed and rejuvenated. Here is what some Students have experienced from practising: “I have recently completed the first level of Balancing Gong with Lee Masters and her Wild Goose Qigong. What an enriching experience I have had. Lee leads the group with a warming calm

assurance. Her instructions are meaningful and provide background and reason for the movements. I had my eye on Wild Goose Qigong for many years and finally a small “push” from a friend got me there and I am so glad it did. I look forward to every week’s lesson! Thank you Sifu Lee!” ~Susan “Qigong for me is a moving meditation, empties my mind, and relaxes my body. After my knee surgery and back on my feet, Balancing Gong was the first ‘exercise’ I did for recovery.” ~Evelyn “At my age of eighty-eight, I strive to keep my mobility and co-ordination intact. My Qigong exercises make such a positive difference in keeping me going without pain. To gain the major benefit from the exercises, it is important to learn to do them correctly. I especially appreciate having to remember even the smallest correction that our Sifu gives us. It feels so good when I get it right. If I am having difficulty sleeping, I get up and do 15 minutes or so of the exercises. I do the movements that I know are most calming for me. Then I go back to a lovely deep sleep. I appreciate being with such a kind and affable group. We can work together or singly, inside or out, as to our preference.” ~Lois “I started classes in Qigong 6 years ago and it has changed me for the better. I practise every day and have become more present and calmer as a result.

Our Sifu (teacher) Lee is welcoming, gentle and has so much knowledge to share.” ~Cathy

enjoy learning from Lee as she teaches with joyful enthusiasm and gentle support.” ~Laurice Mock

“Thanks to the skillful teaching of Sifu Lee Masters, this ancient Qigong system has showed me, a dedicated type A personality, how to finally relax and let Nature restore and rejuvenate my body and mind. I am a different person than I was just six months ago.” ~Dianna Statham

“For me, going to a Qigong class is like going to a Mini-Retreat. I always come away relaxed, inspired and invigorated.” ~Katharina Dittus

“Your classes have given me an inner stillness that grounds me in breath, silence and a much needed slowing down. When I pause and do my Qigong in nature I feel in harmony with my body, breath and with the nature I am surrounded by.” ~Cari “I am coming to Qigong practice for health and fitness purposes but beyond that the friendliness and peaceful feeling experienced while there is very inviting in itself.” ~Claire “I began learning and practising Wild Goose Qiqong with Lee a year ago and within a few months my posture, balance and vitality has improved considerably. I

“Ten months ago I decided to start Qigong. I am in my early 70s and I had had a couple of “trips,” not really falls, but losing my balance enough to alert me to the fact that I needed to do something to help myself stay accident free for as long as possible. Within a couple of months I could feel how much steadier I was on my feet and how much more confident I felt in moving. I look forward to and enjoy the classes. There is a lovely sense of community which Sifu Lee Masters has engendered. I don’t feel a sense of competition; everyone works at her or his own rate and there is a culture of students helping each other.”

(250) 748-4060 www.wildgooseqigongcentre.com

January is THE BIG SALE MONTH in Downtown Duncan!

anuary brings new beginnings and what better way to ring in the new year than to have a sale. Cardino’s Annual Winter Shoe and Boot sale is a much coveted event where for nineteen years we have brought a little excitement into your January. The line ups are worth it and we’re always happy to see how much our customers enjoy the experience. We’re also

impressed at how thoughtful you are when you really might want what the other person has, or, being patient as you wait in line to buy your boots. This is the time where we give good deals on great footwear, and, it clears the way for Spring - and who doesn’t want that! So, Wednesday January 2nd, 10 am… and for the month of January 2019! Cardino Shoes, 165 Craig St, Downtown Duncan.

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

End of Year Clearance Sale! Are you ready to improve your sleep and make an eco resolution? Our year end clearance is on until Jan 19.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss our Semi-Annual Winter Sale at Fabrications. All your favourite brands, now at great discounts. Brands such as, White Stuff, Sandwich, Part Two, InWear, Ted Baker, Tommy Bahama and Desigual, to name just a few. Spring and Summer clothing greatly discounted, perfect for your holiday in the sun. Also, check out our $29, $39, $49 and $59 racks, for extra special savings. Jewellery not included. Starting January 4th. Come by early for best selection. Fabrications, 125 Kenneth St, Downtown Duncan

clearance is on until January 19. Floor models, clearance models and prototypes for cost or below cost pricing. Also receive generous discounts on our overstocked current lineup. Resthouse Sleep Solutions, 126 Station Street, Downtown Duncan. While visiting downtown pop into Outlooks for Men, 53 Station St, and Embellish Home Decor, 115 Kenneth St for more big January sales. Happy New Year!

End of Year Clearance Sale at Resthouse! Are you ready to improve your sleep and make an eco resolution? Our year end

Exquisitely hand-crafted works of art Imagine That! Artisans’ Designs 251 Craig St., Downtown Duncan

imaginethatartisans.com I 250-748-6776

reFRESH

ith one of the fastest growing GDPs in the country and a pace of growth that has not been present in this province since 2005, British Columbia is a place of fantastic beauty and incredible resources. When we think BC, we envision pristine forests, lakes, and rivers. We picture the bounty offered by fertile river valleys, orchards and vineyards bursting forth with delicate fruit. We boast some of the finest farmland this country has to offer and a climate that is able to support the production of incredible volumes of food. Food insecurity is not at the top of most of our lists when we think about BC.

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Yet, according to a study by the Social Planning and Research Council of BC, BC has the highest level of senior poverty in Canada. At 8.8%, BC has a senior poverty rate more than double that of the Yukon, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Now consider that according to the BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition, Duncan has the highest level of child poverty in the province (sitting at over 30% in 2017), we can see that there is a real issue here - an issue with huge societal costs. The reality – 1 out of 7 living in the Cowichan region do not

have sufficient access to food. The steady rise in food bank usage is a clear indicator that this issue is not going to disappear on its own. The Cowichan Green Community (CGC) recognizes that something must be done and continue to develop programming alongside community partners to offer a hand up to those in need. The Cowichan Green Community’s the CGC “Garden Pantry Store” will have a fresh look, fresh products, and a fresh new name: reFRESH Cowichan. Modelled as a low-cost grocery store, the reFRESH Cowichan storefront is a warm and inviting space where the whole community can gain access to healthy, affordable foods like produce, dry goods, herbs & spices, and a line of value added products. Expanding on the work of the CGC food recovery project, the newly branded shop offers a dignified and inclusive shopping experience made possible by the generosity of partnering food donours. Revenue generated via the reFRESH Cowichan storefront covers ongoing program costs like transportation, training/ job creation, and facility rentals. Operating as a social enterprise, reFRESH Cowichan offers products and services to generate revenue. This allows the food recovery program to continue meeting our mandate of increasing community access to healthy, low cost foods while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions by keeping the food out of the landfill. Please come pay a visit to the reFRESH Cowichan storefront, located at 360 Duncan Street. For more information, please call 250-748-8506 or send a message to nanita@ cowichangreencommunity.org

250 510 8700

#105 80 Station Street - Please use Craig St entrance

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Nanita Nair is the manager of the reFRESH Cowichan storefront and a member of the food recovery team since its inception.

Blood Orange Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe courtesy Grant Easterbrook, The Olive Station 225 Canada Ave, Downtown Duncan

Quick and flavourful, these sweet potatoes go great with a winter roast - turkey, pork or ham, and even with lamb, too.

Ingredients

2 1/2 To 3 Pounds Sweet Potatoes 2 Tablespoons The Olive Station Cinnamon Pear Dark Balsamic 1/4 Teaspoon Salt 1/4 Cup The Olive Station Blood Orange Olive Oil 1 Tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice 1/4 Cup Dark Brown Sugar

Method

Cut sweet potatoes into large chunks. Boil until tender; drain and peel. Put the sweet potatoes in a large bowl and add the Olive Station Cinnamon Pear Dark Balsamic, salt, pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar and the Olive Station Blood Orange Olive Oil. Mash or beat until well blended. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Medford Singers Present The Music of Disney

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edford Singers theme this concert is Be Our Guest! The Music of Disney. Joining them will be special guests the Drinkwater Elementary School Choir. There will be medleys of Aladdin and The Lion King as well as a Disney medley. There are many favourites here. It’s a Small World, Be Our Guest, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Hakuna Matata, Beauty and the Beast, Zip a dee doo da. Can You Feel the Love Tonight and so many

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more! Simon Leung is our director having had many years of experience conducting choirs and teaching voice. This is his fifth year with the Medford Singers. The choir welcomes Joanna Hibberd this year as

their accompanist .She has taught piano for years and has also had experience as an accompanist. A portion of the choirs’concerts fund a mentorship program and bursary to help students wanting to continue their

musical studies beyond secondary school. The afternoon promises to be a fun one the whole family will enjoy. The familiar tunes will have everyone singing along. In Lake Cowichan the choir is performing at Lake Cowichan Christian Fellowship Church at 2pm on Saturday January 19th .In Duncan the choir will sing at Duncan United Church at 2pm on Sunday the 20th. Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 at the door; children 12 and under free, available at Remax, Lake Cowichan and Volume One bookstore Duncan or from choir members.

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Stop Smoking With Helena Jehnichen

hen people find out that I am a Hypnotherapist they typically have 3 questions for me 1) What does hypnosis feel like? 2) Do you think I can be hypnotized? 3) Can hypnosis help me to Stop Smoking? Hypnosis is a natural state of mind that feels very relaxing. Since all hypnosis is self hypnosis, the client is always in control and cannot be made to do anything against their will. Everyone who has an IQ over 70 and has no brain damage can be hypnotized. Actually, everyone goes into hypnosis several times a day, such as when waking up, but not quite awake, when falling asleep but not quite asleep, when lost in a good book or movie. These are all times when our brainwave slows to the Theta

state. When people are in the Theta brainwave state, they are highly suggestable. This is why TV commercials are so effective, we are often in a trance while watching them. When people develop habits, such as smoking cigarettes, they have programed their minds and body to connect the habit of smoking with a particular time of day or activity. Putting their hands to their mouth 100, 200 or 300 times a day, sometimes for decades, they have linked having a cigarette with; waking up in the morning, with their coffee, before or after a meal, driving in the car, talking on the phone, when they drink, etc. How is that some people simply decide to stop smoking and never have a craving or any withdrawal symptoms, while others try to quit time and time again

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suffering with cravings and withdrawal symptoms? The answer is hypnosis and the power of suggestion. The easy way to quit is repeat a suggestion while in the trance like state. This will allow the suggestion to go into the subconscious (automatic) part of the mind and replaces the previous programming. Try this: I am a happy, healthy, wealthy non-smoker as you first wake up or are just falling asleep. Or you can do it the hard way and repeatably tell yourself at every opportunity that quitting smoking is hard and that without your smokes you are going to be nasty, rotten and irritable. So, if you want to easily change a habit, use hypnosis to get what you want.

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of age. People were amazed at her beauty, so for the past nine years we have been educating students and adults on the value of the wolf in ecosystems. Tundra leaves a lasting impression on all the people who see her and they comment on her beauty and grace.

Who Speaks for Wolf

or the past ten years, Gary Allan has been conducting presentations on wolves for schools and community groups. Tundra is the star of the show as she gently interacts with the public. Tundra is 90% wolf and was born in March 2007. She came to us at three weeks

Clear cut logging on Vancouver Island during the last 100 years has produced abundant habitat for deer and an explosion in their population. Forestry attempts

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to control browsing of plantation trees have included the re-introduction of Coastal Wolves from the Mainland. In contrast to most other areas of the world, the population and genetic diversity of the three Coastal Wolf subspecies along the Pacific NW coast is doing quite well. These wolves have learned over the years to vary their diet to include fish and shellfish in the intertidal zone. However, as second and third growth trees mature and the deer become scarcer again in the wild, wolves are moving closer to urban areas where increased interaction with humans will occur.

Six Garden Books for Cowichan Valley Gardeners

Monica Dockerty, na Dockerty Gardens world horticulturist and where Dinter Nursery everything employee. seems to be a search bar away, we may be fooled into thinking all the information we need is at our fingertips. Working at Dinter Nursery I am sometimes asked to fact check what horticultural On January 15 the information customers have found online. Naturalists will In the world-wide-web of gardening blogs, host Gary for a talk horticultural opinions, and different growing called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who Speaks climates, garden books can offer accuracy, for Wolfâ&#x20AC;?, 7:30pm, expertise, and reliability without the need to Fish Health Bdlg, sift through online search results. Here are 1080 Wharncliffe some of my favourite books (all of which Rd, can be found in the excellent selection of www.WhoSpeaks garden books at Dinter Nursery):

ForWolf.com, Bring a mug and toonie.

Plants of Coastal British Columbia: Including Washington, Oregon and Alaska by Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon An invaluable resource for the naturalist, gardener and outdoor enthusiast, this book helps both the amateur and expert better understand and identify the flora of

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

the Pacific Northwest. Plants are organized by their plant family, and each plant has an image, common name, Latin name, distribution, description, Aboriginal plant uses, and other interesting notes. This book is a must-have for anyone interested in the natural world that wants to learn more about the incredible flora of Vancouver Island. Natural Insect, Weed and Disease Control by Linda A. Gilkeson A book kept at the info desk of Dinter Nursery and on the shelves of many home and professional gardeners, this guide to identifying and controlling plant diseases and garden insects is a must-have. The first and most important part of pest management is correctly identifying the pest and its life cycle, which this book excellently helps gardeners to do. Whether it’s leaf miner in your beet leaves, bulb fly in your narcissus, or codling moth in your apples, this guide helps gardeners to better understand the insects and diseases in their gardens, and how to naturally control them without immediately resorting to the use of pesticides. An absolute essential for the vegetable gardener! Garden Flora: The Natural and Cultural History of the Plants in Your Garden by Noel Kingsbury Every garden plant comes from somewhere. It has a rich natural and cultural history,

and is much more than just a drought tolerant, deer resistant pop of colour. This book looks at the story of garden plants – where they originated, how they evolved, and how humans altered them. Examining the histories of 133 plant groups is something only true plant geeks may be interested in, but this knowledge adds another fascinating dimension to the wonderful world of gardens. The Pruning of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers by George E. Brown One of the most common questions for horticultural professionals is how, when and where to prune. Both an art and a science pruning maintains plant shape and form, and controls growth, fruiting and flowering. This encyclopedic format details how to prune more than 450 genera of shrubs, trees and woody plant material. Detailed descriptions of each plants individual pruning reasons and needs are outlined. This definitive and thorough guide assists enthusiastic gardeners and professional horticulturalists alike with the enjoyable and rewarding task of pruning. The Winter Harvest Handbook: Year-Round Vegetable Production Using DeepOrganic Techniques and Unheated Greenhouses by Eliot Coleman For anyone interested in growing vegetables yearround this handbook by farming expert Eliot Coleman

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will not disappoint. Building on over thirty years of vegetable growing experience, this comprehensive manual offers tips and useful instructions on topics ranging from greenhouse construction, crop rotation and selection, to soil preparation and pest management. In the Cowichan Valley, where gardeners frequently underutilize the shoulder seasons, this book shows that with a bit of extra planning and intention, vegetable harvests year-round are an easily attainable goal.

JANUARY IS FOR ARMCHAIR GARDENING! Books for Gardeners

The Public Rhododendrons Gardens of Vancouver Island by Ian E. Efford Visiting gardens is one of the best ways to learn about growing plants. Seeing the same plant in different spaces really helps to understand what that individual plant needs to thrive. Fortunately, if you want to learn more about rhododendrons, Vancouver Island has numerous public gardens to view this west coast garden staple. Ian Effords book on the public rhododendron gardens outlines the best public gardens to visit, region by region. Chock-full of photos, maps and great information this is a great guide for anyone interested in the ericaceous world of rhodos.

Try one of our books and dream of ‘gardens to come’. Local authors and many ‘how to’ topics Pick up a free West Coast Seeds Catalogue, packed with information on vegetable gardening

www.dinternursery.ca 5km South of Duncan on Hwy 1

187 Trunk Road, Duncan, British Columbia V9L 2P1

adults, that they had “absorbent minds” and seemed to take in impressions and information through their interactions with the world around them. Dr. Montessori prepared classrooms filled with hands on activities, encouraging children to learn and discover concepts through interactions with real objects and with real tasks, environments very different to the traditional model of education where children listened passively to their teacher. This way of “absorbent” learning can easily be seen in a young child who is beginning to speak, seeming to create language effortlessly purely by being surrounded by people who are speaking. Or by a child attempting to stand

All About Montessori Teaching

n 1907 Dr. Maria Montessori opened her first school for young children in Italy. It was here she noticed that children learnt differently to

and then to walk, skills which can’t be taught but which a child achieves by their own efforts. More than a century later Montessori schools around the world continue to follow her very successful model of preparing environments that encourage children to be actively involved with learning materials which they can touch and manipulate. For example, children use puzzle maps to explore their world, feeling the shape and size of each continent, finding model animals, pictures of people or landscapes to match to the continents. They can hold a cube made of 1000 individual gold beads, comparing it in weight and size to a single unit bead and then stretch out a chain made with 1000 gold beads all the way across the classroom to gain a real impression of just how big a quantity 1000 actually is. These physical interactions enable a child to literally get to grips with the world around them. Recent changes to the BC Curriculum recognize how valuable learning through active engagement is, particularly when the child can be involved with authentic tasks that connect the learning in the classroom to the real world. Shawnigan Lake Montessori,

situated on the beautiful campus of Shawnigan Lake School, closely follows Dr. Montessori’s educational model and also incorporates modern understanding of early childhood education. The preschool was started in 2007 to provide education for children of the teachers at Shawnigan Lake School. Over the years the preschool has expanded, to also provide spaces for children from the wider community, with 2 classrooms of 16 children, from 3 to 6 years. Here the children can engage in an authentic Montessori program, which supports them to learn at their own pace and in their own style. The learning in the classroom is expanded into the outdoors as the children use the gardens, forest and lake of Shawnigan Lake School to richly experience the natural world around them; tangible, meaningful learning experiences both inside the Montessori classroom and outside in nature.

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Nicola ConstantineMacdonald

Evergreen Independent School January Open House

hirty-six years ago, a small group of parents in Cobble Hill were searching for an alternative learning environment for their children. Ideas were shared, plans were made, and a new breed of school was born. Evergreen Independent School was established with an eye towards building community while providing a safe and supportive learning setting for your children. Registrations are now being accepted for Junior Kindergarten to Grade 7, as well as for the Evergreen Explorers, a new and tremendously popular Friday morning program for 3 year olds.

In the past year the Evergreen Community has brought to life several exciting new projects and programs to meet the needs of students, parents, and the local community. On September 1st 2018 Evergreen unveiled the new Cobble Hill Community Pavillion. A gorgeous timberframe shared community space designed for the school, parents, and local residents to use for events and as a large covered outdoor playspace. Evergreen also boasts a robust food literacy program for students, as well as a fully gluten-free kitchen to accommodate special dietary needs for our students and guests. And finally, we are extremely proud of our beautiful garden space where students gain the skills needed to grow and harvest their very own vegetables!

There are many unique aspects of Evergreen that attract families. Small class sizes, innovative teaching, and multi-grade classrooms enhance individual learning and create positive socialization across all grade levels. The parents and teachers of Evergreen Independent School are committed to a philosophy that develops the full potential of each child. Find out more about Evergreenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inspired learning environment from parents, students, and teachers at the 2019 Open House on Friday January 28th (6:00 to 8:00 pm) and Saturday January 29th (10:00 am to 12:00 Noon). Take a tour, have some refreshments, and explore the possibilities! Evergreen Independent Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Open House Junior Kindergarten to Grade Seven. Evergreen Independent School Open House 2019 Friday, January 28th 6pm-8pm Saturday, January 29th 10am-12 Noon In the heart of Cobble Hill 3515 Watson Ave www.evergreenbc.net 250-743-2433 See us on Facebook

Submitted by Carrie McDonell

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Take a Tour at Duncan Christian School

uncan Christian School’s Kindergarten program is proud to be part of an inclusive, nurturing community of learners and families. With both full and part-time offerings, DCS is able to address the varying needs of families. In the DCS Kindergarten, students are part of a safe, secure environment that provides wellrounded learning opportunities for the whole child and integrates Christian teachings throughout the program. Through playbased activities in a well-planned and structured classroom, children can develop and grow to their potential in all areas of growth: personal/ social/emotional, language and communications, literary, mathematics, science and critical thinking, expressive arts and design, spiritual and physical. An integral part of the DCS Kindergarten program is the development of communication skills, whether it be writing, speaking or listening. Students gain confidence and a love of books through a blended program of daily story times, bookrelated activities, opportunities for storytelling, and a phonics program. Student learning is supported by the educational use of classroom digital media and a computer lab.

for future learning. Whether it is engaging in challenges, such as boat-building, mixing colours or growing our own bean plants, students have many opportunities to exercise their critical thinking and cooperative work skills. Students also enjoy learning about the natural world and are given resources to help them become keen observers and beginning stewards of the environment. Daily physical activity and brain exercises are made easy by the well-equipped gymnasium and a large outdoor play area and adjoining playing fields. As part of Duncan Christian School’s focus on such faithbased values as integrity, compassion and inclusion, the Kindergarten program is happy to include many opportunities for cross-grade learning, community care projects, and learning from local artists and cultural leaders. Duncan Christian School’s Kindergarten—partnering with you to grow the future! Duncan Christian School Kindergarten Open House February 1, 9:30-11AM 495 Beech Avenue, Duncan. Please call 250 746 3654 www.duncanchristianschool.ca

The Kindergarten program at DCS provides a firm foundation

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

r i o I a i f p c f i M ( o

A s i u b d a m r

Learn about Fungi in the Forests

large part of the energy that plants allocate to roots actually supports an intricate below-ground web of largely microscopic life. In the interface between root and soil (the rhizosphere), interactions between roots and fungi can improve or impair plant growth. Traditional commercial use of the forest of British Columbia including the North Cowichan Municipal Forest Reserve (MFR), has focused primarily on trees of economic value.

Dr. Shannon Berch is a soil ecologist with the Conservation Science Section of the BC Government and will give a talk on January 7, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fungi in the Forestsâ&#x20AC;?, 9:30am, Fish Health Building, 1080 Wharncliffe Rd. Bring a mug and toonie.

As societal priorities have shifted and broadened to include many other forest uses and values, there has been an awakening to the diversity of life in our forests and to the impact that forest management has on other resources like soil.

PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN

OPEN HOUSE

Sunrise Waldorf School (SWS) is an independent school, supporting choice in education for discerning parents. We welcome your family to visit and see what we have to offer. Space is limited. Please RSVP to admissions@sunrisewaldorfschool.org FEBRUARY

OPEN HOUSE Preschool Saturday, February 9 - 10AM - 12 pm

2148 LAKESIDE RD, DUNCAN 250 743-7253

Upcoming Open House Dates KINDERGARTEN Saturday, March 2 - 10am - 12pm Saturday, March 30 - 10am - 12pm PRESCHOOL Saturday, May 4 - 9:30am - 11am

www.sunrisewaldorfschool.org

RSVP Required

Changing the Solar Map Around Here the Salish Sea Renewable Energy Cooperative

olar electricity continues to achieve milestones in efficiency, clean production, ease of installation, user-friendliness and longevity. And costs are plummeting: Solar costs are at least 75% lower than in 2010 and solar electricity is cheaper now than coal, gas or megahydro. Solar emits no climateforcing gases like methane or carbon dioxide and is cost competitive, even though it is devoid of subsidies in BC. In contrast, fossil fuels or megahydro receive lavish amounts of subsidies. Best of all, wind and solar technologies evolve in leaps and bounds and continue to fall in price, while established technologies (nuclear, fossil fuels, mega-hydro) incur incremental technological advances at best, while their astronomic cost overruns are legion!

PV) around the Salish Sea, 2. Educating on renewable energies, and 3. Advocating for renewables and decarbonization. Just ten months later, we are the proud owners of a website (SSREC. org), and when we are not worshipping the sun or admiring our achievements, we respond to inquiries sent to SSRECinfo@ gmail.com. We set out by presenting talks on solar energy and on our coop around the Salish Sea, expressing urgency to act on climate change mitigation and our hopes to organize a bulk-purchase of solar equipment and installation. We were as overwhelmed by the attendance as by the enthusiasm of our audiences.

Encouraged by positive experiences with solar installations and to combat persistent myths, a few local solar enthusiasts created a new cooperative - the Salish Sea Renewable Energy Cooperative, SSREC, with three main goals: 1. Facilitating the adoption of renewable energy – especially solar power (photovoltaics,

Salish Sea: A Solar Powerhouse! In record time, and after fielding hundreds of questions and doing almost a hundred solar assessments, this enthusiasm translated into a bulk purchase, the scale of which exceeded our wildest dreams: almost forty new residential solar projects have been completed around the Salish

Viridian Energy installing solar at the Galiano Conservancy.

Sea (focussed on the Gulf Islands and Saanich), totalling over 800 panels with a capacity exceeding 265 kW. This is the second largest community installation in BC (after the 500 kW installation in Hudson’s Hope) - preventing the release of some 200 metric tonnes of CO2 per year and saving the owners a lot of money on their electricity bills for the next 35 years or more. True to our names, assessments and technological choices were done in cooperation with Viridian Energy Co-op based in Duncan who also took care of all installations, permitting etc. in five short months of very intense work. To keep workers happy and costs down, the locals supported Viridian logistically, with accommodation and even a dinner or two. Our new installations include five ground-mounts, exemplifying our approach: our co-ops researched types of groundmounts that minimize CO2 production, always aware that climate change mitigation must influence any decision made. In a first for BC, we found a method

that uses earth anchors instead of having to pour carbon-intensive concrete. Viridian purchased some specialized equipment to test the strength of the anchors before fitting the modules and eventually got the system working like clockwork! Very sweaty work, but smiling faces all around and everybody, co-op members or not, will profit from this experience. Even though our area is not generally considered ideal for solar in BC, we do receive at least 20% more solar radiation than acknowledged solar powers like Germany or France! Our communities are leading the way by turning the Salish Sea into a solar powerhouse. Community installations are everywhere around the Salish Sea: Primary School and Recycling Centre on Pender, Recycling Centre in Duncan, High School on Saltspring, Community Centre on Mayne etc. Net-Metering is Still Alive in BC All SSREC’s solar installations are grid-tied and administered

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

through BC Hydro’s Net Metering programme. Net metering measures the flow of electricity from the client into the grid (solar production) and from the grid (consumption over and above the solar production) for a year: during the summer months, solar production usually exceeds domestic consumption and credit (in kWh) builds up in BC Hydro’s accounts. These banked kWh are used up during the winter when solar production is low and domestic demands tend to be high. This arrangement also minimizes the amount a BC Hydro customer spends on the dreaded tier2 rate (almost $0.15/ kWh, including taxes and the ‘rider’). Recently, BC Hydro created a lot of confusion around net metering, announcing that they no longer allow overproduction by domestic PV systems and creating a virtual mountain out of a minuscule data set. BC Hydro’s application to the BC Utilities Commission seemed to have been designed largely to seed confusion, create chilling effects on a popular and wildly successful programme and discourage solar initiatives. Undeterred, forty SSREC members put up solar to cover their own consumption for years to come, minimize their electricity costs, decarbonize their lives and protect against future electricity rate increases. Unfortunately, BC Hydro does not permit community netmetering (CNM, also known as virtual net metering). CNM allows individuals to invest in community solar farms and

receive a rebate on their hydro bill, in kWh, based on the amount of energy their investment puts into the grid. CNM is an essential requirement for community solar gardens and without it, renters, strata owners, people in social housing or living in dwellings unsuitable for solar installations (facing north, surrounded by trees, etc.) are excluded from the solar revolution. Forwardlooking utilities everywhere have embraced CNM, including in the San Juan Islands, since it opens up opportunities for everyone to participate in mitigating climate change and to save money on their electricity bills. Return on Investment Solar panels are now warrantied to produce electricity silently, reliably and with minimum maintenance for over 25 years. As such, the financial return on the investment in residential solar is already in the range of 5-7%. Good for the environment, good for the community and local jobs and good for the finances – winwin-win! The return will increase further when the extended life expectancy of panels is considered. Also, every time domestic electricity rates increase – and they will! - the financial returns on solar look even more enticing. Basically, by going solar our co-op members became independent of the vagaries and arbitrariness of a monopoly’s electricity pricing! What’s Next for SSREC? We will continue our research into solar technologies, and more urgently, provide BC Hydro and the BC Utilities Commission with ideas on ways to improve and strengthen the

Viridian Energy installing solar at the Galiano Conservancy.

net-metering program. Major efforts will go into convincing the BC government and BC Hydro that community netmetering is an essential part of the solar revolution as well as a social imperative. We also plan to strengthen our ties with community solar groups all over BC to exchange experiences and ideas, and continue to give public presentations on the many advantages of going solar. While we are still recovering from the whirlwind of the recent bulk-purchase, our inbox SSRECinfo@gmail.com is already bulging with queries whether we are planning to

organize other bulk purchases (PV - yes!), heat-pumps (likely) or battery back-up systems (soon) for solar. We’re keen, the time for action is now and the recent IPCC report has only confirmed that our communities are on the right path with their unbounded enthusiasm about solar and their willingness to walk the talk. If you want to be active in research or advocacy, help organize a bulk-purchase, are willing to contribute any other skill that a cooperative like ours needs or just want to go solar, let us know. SSREC is yours. Submitted by Tom Mommsen

Natural building workshops

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Green Living

Elke Cole

Family Values For A New Year

Managing households and raising children are popular topics of conversation amongst my friends and I. The two go hand in hand and establishing reasonable routines while teaching responsibilities seems like a moving target sometimes. Recently I was searching for some new ideas around structure for roles and responsibilities within the family and I came across the idea of creating family contracts. Contracts make limits and boundaries explicitly clear and help kids understand obligations as well as consequences. You can create contracts for technology, homework, use of the family car etc. They are printed out, read and signed by relevant family members. At the same time parents can layout consequences if a contact is broken. Some families that implement a point system, for example, a document is created that states something like: For breaking your technology contract by using your device after bedtime your device has been taken away and will cost 500 points to get it back.

Clean Fridge – 50 points Sweep and mop floors – 50 points Prepare/cook/serve/clean up a meal – 100 points Scrub toilet – 15 points Change bedding – 10 points Wash windows inside and out – 10 points/window Etc, etc…. Another concept I really like is the creation of a Family Mission Statement. “A family mission statement is a combined, unified expression from all family members of what your family is all about — what it is you really want to do and be — and the principles you choose to govern your family life.” -Stephen Covey Ideally all family members work together and the process of creating the statement is even more valuable than the end product. Everyone has an opportunity to be heard, parents can raise concepts regarding shared values and visions and once completed it provides family members with a sense of uniqueness as well as meaning and identity. I love these ideas and the New Year seems like a golden opportunity to introduce new concepts into the family. Happy New Year from my family to yours!

Empty the dishwasher – 20 points

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Tracey Hanson is a local mompreneur and marimba musician in local band Masimba.

Natural Homes Are Good For You Elke Cole, For me it’s all about people: together we create villages, buildings, structures, art and make dreams into reality.

here’s nothing quite like the feeling of stepping into a home made from Earth. I’ve seen it so many times: people walk into the house and relax a little. We feel more grounded and want to linger. I can see a few reasons for this to be so: An earthen house envelope is ‘breathing’ - this means excess vapour from the indoor air is absorbed at times of humidity overload (showers/ cooking/ too many people) and released back into the space once conditions are dry- thus creating a balanced humidity level of around 50%. This is comfortable for human health. Clay brings negative Ions into your space clearing away our usual overload of positive charge from Electronics etc. This keeps your spirit high and supports your immune system. Many earthen houses are lovingly finished with lots of details. Your eyes keep moving and discovering small beautiful bits and hand-touched feel of it all.

Earthbag, Rammed Earth, Light Straw-clay and earthen plasters. Finding the one that suits you- your temperament, your location and your budget can be confusing. Some techniques can be load-bearing, others require a wood-frame. Some have more insulation value, others much thermal mass. Some are so simple your whole family can get their hands into the building process, others require some ability to work with power tools. Earthen houses are part of a lifestyle choice that looks for solutions to live a low footprint. We frequently see alternative energy systems, waste water treatment and composting toilets as part of the design. As with any home planning decision- there are many ways to the realization of your dream. To start with your process of information gathering, join me at Collective Space for a one- day workshop on Saturday January 19, from 10-4 pm. If you register mentioning this article we’ll honour early bird rate of $60 . Please visit elkecole.com or email elke@elkecole.com.

There are a number of techniques to build with Earth: Cob,

Handbuilt ceramic pitcher/ vase by Margit Nellemann

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What Is A Second

lay is an interesting medium to work in. During the process of forming and building the clay is soft and supple. The flexible, and even elastic, nature of the clay allows for adjustments and corrections. Many mistakes or undesired shapes and forms can be altered up until a certain point. When the clay reaches the leather hard stage, this is much more difficult and when it is completely dry it can no longer be changed. At this point in time, the clay can be wetted again and eventually recycled into new pieces. Thus, many mistakes can be remedied before the piece is ready for the kiln. The unfired dry clay piece goes into the kiln as greenware and comes out as bisque ware. Most pieces will undergo a second firing, the glaze firing, in order to complete the creative process. The bisque firing happens around 1000ºC and the glaze firing at a considerably higher temperature depending on different styles and ware. In a nutshell, these firings are what will transform the piece from clay to ceramic. And it is no wonder many things can go sideways at those temperatures.

from the kiln and notice that the glaze ran in places I didn’t intend it to. Sometimes, the pieces simply didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to and I may put them aside. All these pieces are collected during the year. A few years ago, I decided to dedicate the second day of the second month to sell all my seconds. The event has now become an annual repeat and a wonderful way to kick off the season. So, on February second at 2 pm, I invite people to come to my studio to select from the seconds I have produced throughout the previous year. And, in keeping with the theme of seconds and 2s, I tempt everyone to come in a tutu. It adds a carnivalesque atmosphere to a midwinter’s day and offers 22% savings off all regularly priced clay pieces. Saturday, February 2, 2pm 8350 Richards Trail, Westholme www.westholmetea.com

Working with clay keeps one humble. I never quite know what chemical transformation may have occurred during a 10-hour firing process. I will pull pieces

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Margit Nellemann is a tea purveyour, tea blender and ceramic artist.

Thank you for being part of Canada’s most authentic tea experience. We look forward to serving you again in 2019. The farm will be closed for the month of January and will re-open on February 2 @ 2pm. Our online tea store is always open. SEASON OPENING I SECONDS SALE Margit Nellemann’s Annual Seconds Sale features wildly reduced slightly imperfect functional and decorative clay art. Included in the sale will be everything from teacups to plates, bowls to lamps, and vases to teapots. Wear a Tutu and get 22% off regular priced pieces. Yes Seriously. Have some fun... you won’t be the only one! This season opening event is on Saturday 02.02 @ 2pm

8350 Richards Trail, Westholme For more information go to or call 250.748.3811

THE TEMPEST AND THE TREES Abridged

By Icel Jane Dobell

The Mayor and Council do not give us pause but the gale force winds doâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; a dramatic pause, full stop. Also, enough fallen trees to silence any argument that we need to do any more patch clear cutting for revenue this year.

he timing of the gale and the epic Council meeting before Christmas, where hundreds of citizens gather to make a request of their leaders, unfolds like a Greek tragic comedy where the voice of Nature is made manifest as a gale force wind. This is not to say that the immediate danger and aftermath of the storm are comic but rather that it is a serious story which may have a happy ending. After the storm, with trees fallen throughout our community forests, we must decide what is the most enlightened action to take. What is the greatest value of the thousands of trees? Never has it been more important to pause and consider where we are headed. The past proves that in all matters where there is insufficient time for reflection and consultation, if we race forward, we will regret our decisions. Two months ago, as a collective, we learn that the six mountains surrounding our valley, being logged on the backsides, are not owned by an industrial forestry company

but belong to North Cowichan. Logging is coming over the tops of the mountains; our municipal government is about to systematically clear cut the six forests rising above our valley. Hundreds of citizens come together to ask for a pause of all logging of our community forests to allow time for public consultation with experts on the forest not predominantly from the industrial forestry sector, including experts in Eco tourism. On December 19, at 1:30 pm, at the busiest time of the year, hundreds of people congregate at a Council Meeting to request pause. Our numbers swell the hall; people fill the seats, sit on the floor, line the walls, standing shoulder to shoulder, wrapping around the Mayor and Council, fill the foyer and the spill-over room. Cars line both sides of the road almost to the highway. Still more people arrive, cannot fit through the doors, must drive to other places to watch the proceedings online. It is an unprecedented show of public will as has never been seen at our Municipal Hall. Someone counts approximately 400 people, including those who must leave. The Mayor is magnanimous. At the last moment, he changes the format of the meeting. He opens the floor to allow everyone to speak. He cancels the three minute spots normally allotted at the beginning and says every person may have two minutes. The citizens are optimisticâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; the congregation so large, the message so simple, direct, impossible to deny, the outcome is obvious. The leaders will grant the pause and a re-structuring of the

Forest Advisory Committee, (comprised of volunteers retired from the industrial forestry sector), to advise Council and the public on the wisest possible course moving forward. To the majority it is obvious; to systematically clear cut a community forest is simply not done anymore, not in these times, not in enlightened communities. What other municipalities in this foresthungry developed world would do it? There are so many other options to manage a locally-owned, nonindustrial forest. Aside from changing ecological and social values, the economic reasons for not patch clear cutting are irrefutable. Eco tourism is the new industry. How can the incalculable present and future value of tourism be denied?

If we continue to systematically clear cut our forests, the result is inevitable: more fields of broom and other invasives, reduced treee canopies, tree lots of matchstick size, standing twoby-fours susceptible to climate change, drought, erosion, rain and increasing winter winds. (When the speakers foreshadow the winds to come, they are not speaking in bold; they have no idea what will occur in less than twentyfour hoursâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;an act of nature

We have inherited a gift other communities would spend millions of dollars to own. This is what communities around BC are doing right now, buying forests for Eco-tourism—forests that can’t compare with the six mountains of forests we don’t have to buy because we already own them—an asset for growing sustainable jobs now and for the future.

timed as if to drive home the need to pause, never to clear cut again— they are referring to scientific predictions). If we continue to build clear cut lots, will tourists, bikers, hikers and other forest lovers continue to come? Further to the financial argument for “conventional harvesting,” beyond the lucrative economy of tourism, people who have looked at the 2017 Annual Forestry Report calculate that after expenses of logging, patch clear cutting our community forests brings in revenue equivalent to the approximate value of an average house in the Cowichan Valley. (The annual budget of the North Cowichan Municipal Hall is $64 million). To summarize the complex issues and questions raised in the Council Meeting, here are a few of the main points: Until ten years ago, those of us who for decades have traveled the old trails of the community forests could walk all day and never meet another person. Last year, 80,000 people visited Mt Tzouhalem. 35,000 Stoney Hill. Who could have

foreseen such change? In the face of enormous ecological, economic and social changes, we are facing a complexity of questions about our community forests. Two months ago, our forester and Forest Advisory Committee were continuing to do as had been done for decades, running the best forestry operation they could to create revenue for our community. They were not being asked to consider other ways to manage our forests. Two months ago, most citizens didn’t know our forests are community owned. The public was not yet on social media talking about pause, public consultation, questioning what we could learn from a world of possibilities, given time to consider. We were not talking about a possible sister forest in Germany and joining other international forestry thinkthanks. As a collective, we didn’t know all the options. We still don’t. We are just beginning to ask. For two months, we have come together, growing

exponentially, recently amassing over 1200 signatures and hundreds of thoughtful comments—comments we will continue to collect and send to council until we are given the necessary pause. Why not pause? The budget is not yet decided. What would it cost taxpayers to pause logging for a year? (According to the recent water referendum, not much). Our government allowed us to decide over affordable housing and water. Why not our forests? Our vote made it clear— we are a community that understands higher values. We understand that the forests, water and ultimately out ability to live here are interdependent. Logging is moving closer to our communities raising questions of the health of clear cuts, erosion, summer drought, increasing winter winds and rain, invasive species, chemicals, the cost and impact on watersheds, habitat, the danger and expense of fire in cut blocks with small trees and broom.

With our new Mayor, new council, new attitude toward public consultation, in a new era of understanding the value of old forests, we have arrived at the crossroads— the legacy moment that will be remembered. We are not yet at the wall but we are at the turning point, there is still time to pause. Thirty-two people deliver variations on the same theme. Not one person is critical of the forestry department to date. Many express gratitude to the foresters for the years of volunteer hours. All the service and good they have done for our community is acknowledged. Over and over, the point is made: we are not talking about past conventional harvesting practices; we are talking about recent complex changes and how we adapt. A handful of retired foresters and allies say that there should be no pause, no fundamental restructuring of the Forest Advisory Committee, (someone suggests adding a recreation advisor—this is received as a token gesture of minuscule proportion), business should continue as usual, all that is needed is to educate the public on what a good job the foresters are doing. They say that they will

Where Do You Stand On Our Community Forests? The Six Mountains—Prevost, Tzouhalem, Sicker, Richards, Maple, Stoney Hill— are yours to protect.

You have a right to be heard. TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Educate yourself. Read the issues on www.WhereDoWeStand.ca Watch the video of the December 19 Council Meeting where hundreds of people showed up to request a pause in all logging to allow time for public consultation. https://www.northcowichan.ca/custom/ council-meetings.aspx Sign the petition at The Community Farm Store and online at WhereDoWeStand.ca Read the comments, write your own. Email your comments to Mayor and Council at council@northcowichan.ca, let them know you support WhereDoWeStand.ca

HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

Sign up to: distribute ﬂyers • post posters • put up lawn signs Share your forest story, email your friends spread the word on facebook. For updates on Council meetings to attend, go to:

www.WhereDoWeStand.ca 38

take the Council and interested citizens on guided tours of the forests. We have seen the places where the tours occur; we have visited “Logger’s Lane.” Tours are conducted with not one representative of alternative sustainable forestry practises, not one ecologist, conservationist, non-industry biologist, community forester, or landscape planner/landscape architect in sight. The tour does not talk about herbicides and invasive species. Tour leaders do not take busloads of citizens and Councillors to the “Broom Fields” of Stoney Hill, Tzouhalem and Maple. The community of citizens representing the 1200 people who cannot leave work to be

at the meeting, hear the small, mostly retired, anti-pause group with dismay. To tell us that the Forest Advisory Committee will educate us is not public consultation. “Consultation” or education without pause, while business continues as usual and all peaceful requests for political sanctions are ignored, is not democracy. One speaker quotes from the Community Forestry Guidebook: “As far as public consultation, there must be transparency and meaningful genuine involvement of the public.” After two and a half hours, the Council meeting comes to a confusing close—at least, most of the people present

are confused. Nothing is said about the citizens’ request for a pause of logging of the six mountains—Tzouhalem, Maple, Sicker, Richards, Prevost, Stoney Hill, or a fundamental overhaul of the Forestry Advisory Committee. A motion is put forward about one mountain. The majority of citizens do not understand why. Why only one mountain? Why not all six? No explanation is given.

(A few of us understand the reasons why Stoney Hill should never be logged again; we have walked with many experts on the forests who have informed us of the ecological reasons; we support the motion but as we feared, the motion obscures the real reason why hundreds of people showed up and 1200 people signed the WhereDoWeStand.ca petition). The Mayor says something about a “staff report on our forest operations,” something about “status quo,” and that nothing will probably be decided before February. Meanwhile, the Council and staff will educate themselves on the issues. The implication is that they will be educated by the forester, and Forest Advisory Committee.

If this is true, if this is the extent of the education our Mayor and Council are to receive on the changing ecological, economic and social values regarding the forests, as well as the multitude of ways to sustainably manage a 5,000 hectare community forest, then how can one not ask, as people do, “Who is actually in control of our public-owned forests? Our elected officials representing the public, or the industrial foresters educating them?” Some of us have recently spent two months and hundreds of hours educating ourselves about the forests, meeting with experts from various backgrounds, and we are barely at the beginning of grasping the complexities. How much time will Council take? And meanwhile, what about the forests? Will new tenders go out? New logging roads be built? New logging contracts be signed? After the Council meeting, with all of our questions

hanging in the air, within twenty-four hours, one of the biggest gales of recorded history in these parts, over 130 km/h where the mountains funnel the currents, takes the valley by surprise. Thousands of trees are fallen by the wind. The windfall is worth a fortune in timber and may be even more valuable to the forests if left to decay and replenish the soils. (Industry foresters tell us that we don’t need to leave valuable timber in the forests; we can enrich the soil with fertilizers. This is true, we can spend money on fertilizers and we can filter the chemicals out of our drinking water, but we cannot rebuild a forest of natural soil). Suffice to say, we ask for a pause in all patch clear cutting of our community forests to consider other enlightened forestry management practices and we get it—not the way we were anticipating but such is the nature of profound change beyond our control. The ability to adapt to sudden change is a prerequisite for survival, physical, financial and emotional. When faced with unprecedented change, (how many thousands of trees down?), if we move quickly we will make mistakes that we and future generations will regret. With a new year beginning, change in the air, a potential new direction as dictated by the windfall lying on the earth, is it self-evident: To act as visionaries, now is the time to pause. For the unabridged version go to WhereDoWeStand.ca All images courtesy Chris Istace www.chrisistace.com

if you have been curious about whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the trees. A venture through will reveal un hit powder stashes, fun little bumps and enchanting peacefulness. Good Time Glades is a great introduction to all of the above. To access ride the Hawk chairlift to the top and take a short run down Reverse Traverse. This will brings you to the entrance, continue past the sign and choose to take the left side of the run which undulates through widely spaced trees before funnelling in to a single track to return to Reverse Traverse, or head right after the sign which is a little steeper. Again with widely spaced trees you can take many different lines here that all pop out onto Sunset and in turn will return you towards the Hawk chair to do it again! If you still want more, easy glades can be found at the bottom of Jacks. With a little bit of adventure, you can find more challenging treed lines in between most runs on the mountain. After some successful Good Time Glades run you should feel more comfortable heading into the trees!

Get Into The Glades Richard Badman loves sailing, kiting and snowboarding on Vancouver Island

Vancouver Islanders are lucky to have such a dynamic home mountain to adventure to. Mount Washington Alpine Resort is located just 30 minutes from the Comox Valley and hosts over 300,000 visits per year. In the winter, guests enjoy five chairlifts, and five carpet lifts accessing over 1,700 acres and 1,657 vertical feet of alpine terrain. The resort also has 55 kilometers of designated cross-country skiing and 25km of snowshoeing trails along with a dedicated Nordic lodge. While there is something for everyone at the mountain Mount Washingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legendary glades serve up all kinds of tempting goodies for those who care to partake. For newbies the Good Time Glades are a perfect place to explore

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Happy New Year!

he New Year always seems to inspire us, whether it be eating better, exercising more, getting more sleep, or doing a cleanse. The holiday season tends to go hand in hand with excess sugars, processed foods, heavy meals, and alcoholic beverages, wreaking havoc on our digestive systems! The colon tends to pay the price when we treat our bodies this way. It is one of the most neglected organs in the body and if we are not eliminating properly, or material remains in the colon for too long, it can become toxic. Fecal matter contains toxins from cellular breakdown, yeast, mold, fungal overgrowth, undigested putrefied foods, parasites, bacteria and viruses. If the stagnant fecal matter is left on the colon wall, these toxins are

absorbed by the blood system and circulated throughout the body. When these toxins are at levels that are beyond what our body can cope with, we are at risk for serious health problems. Removing these toxins from our body is imperative to restoring your health. Colon Hydrotherapy is a beneficial part of any program to improve your body’s ability to cope with digestive disorders like IBS, constipation, bloating, diahrrea, and candida. It is an alternative to common, overused treatments, like laxatives. Colonics help train the bowel, kickstart weight loss, re-train the colon muscle, and are an effective way to help prepare the body for a colonoscopy treatment. If you want to make your digestive system and other organs more effective at what they do, having a clean, functioning colon is a step in the right direction. Colon Hydrotherapy is a safe,

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The Vagus Nerve and the Gut-Brain Superhighway Have you ever wondered what the Vagus Nerve is?

he vagus nerve plays a very important role in overall health and wellness. A welltoned vagus nerve supports gut health and mental wellbeing. It’s a nerve that unites the gut and the brain. New research has revealed that it may also be the missing link to treating chronic inflammation and treating incurable diseases. The Vagus nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the rest and digest system. We have numerous

nerves in this system, however the vagus nerve reaches the majority of the body’s organs. It is the longest cranial nerve. Vagus means “wanderer”, a fitting name for this nerve as it reaches many of your organs including” the brain, pharynx, larynx, tongue, ear, lungs, esophagus, heart, spleen, liver, gut, gallbladder, kidney, intestines, pancreas, ureter and reproductive system. It begins at the brain, splits into two branches, through the head, down the spine and into your organs. What is the purpose of the Vagus nerve. If your vagus nerve is functioning properly it is involved in helping regulate the nervous system and the organs and brain. The vagus nerve also assists with the body-mind connection as it is the nerve that connects all major body organs. This is a possible explanation to why gut disorders are often connected to depression, anxiety and other auto-immune diseases. it also affects human emotions, eye contact, and detects the nuances of communication. It manages the release of oxytocin, the bonding hormone essential to birth and relationships. It plays a big role in social engagement, through facial expression, voice, hearing and emotion. Studies have shown that those with higher vagus nerve tone are

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more altruistic and that vagal activity can be passed down from mother to child. For example if a mother spends her pregnancy depressed or on high alert this can cause a lower vagus function in the infant. Having a low vagus nerve function can result in: Depression, Anxiety, Chronic Fatigue, Weight gain, IBS and Digestive issues, Heart problems and almost all auto-immune conditions. While this sounds rather depressing, the good news is you can stimulate and restore the vagus nerve. A few different ways you can do this are: 1. A cold shower, this turns off the sympathetic system and on the parasympathetic system. At the end of your shower try 30 sec cold, and 30 sec hot, alternating between them 2. Deep breathing exercises, release relaxing hormones and turn off the fight-flight system while turning on the vagus nerve and parasympathetic system 3. Prayer, meditation and chanting turns on the vagus nerve 4. Being with friends and family, stimulates connectedness and higher vagal function 5. Yoga and Stretching turns on the vagus nerve and parasympathetic system 6. Grounding Exercises 7. Working with an attunded somatic based Counsellor By helping your vagus nerve function at a higher level you can heal many of major issues that may be interfering with your health and mental well-being. The most efficient stress-reducer might just be a smile. Engaging socially with others triggers neural circuits that calm the heart, relax the gut and switch off fear. I invite you to try more of this in your new year.

Melissa Brown, Certified Hellerwork Practitioner r of Hellerwork and Somatic Counsellor. islandhellerwork.com 250661-1687

What Can Your Gut Do For You (And You For Your Gut)?

ut health is a central part of overall health and wellbeing. This is because it is the main site for some of the most important systems of our bodies. The main organs that make up the digestive tract include: mouth, esophagus, stomach, small & large intestines, and the rectum. These work in conjunction with accessory organs such as the gall bladder, pancreas, and liver. Our digestive tract is the primary site of digestion, where we break down and absorb all of the nutrients that keep our bodily systems functioning; it’s also the site where we produce most of our neurotransmitters (things like serotonin – the happy hormone); and the majority of our immune system is located in our gut. The friendly microbes (such as bacteria) that live in our gut assist in all of the previously listed functions, so it’s important to support a diverse and healthy amount of good microbes. How can we optimize digestion, then? First, digestion begins with the nose. By smelling our food before we take a bite, we activate digestive processes. By taking time to slow down our eating and properly chewing our food we are also pre-digesting our food, which helps us break down and absorb nutrients. We are all guilty of eating on the run and not taking our time to properly digest. As a result we sometimes suffer for it in the form of heartburn or upset stomach. Digestive enzymes can help because they break down our food. These are naturally produced by our bodies, but can be supplemented when

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

our digestion isn’t functioning optimally or we overload the system with a big, rich meal. A broad-spectrum digestive enzyme digests fats, proteins and carbohydrates. When we have trouble digesting specific foods, we can take an enzyme specific to that food; but first we need to determine which food is causing us trouble. Probiotics are cultured bacteria that we can use to support the health of the microbes already living in our digestive tract and using them can improve our gut health. There are many different types of bacteria used in probiotics, but the two most common ones are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which release lactic acid when they digest carbohydrates. This lactic acid helps to increase the bioavailability of the nutrients we take in; such as minerals and vitamins. Optimizing gut microbes has been linked to numerous health benefits, including weight loss, improved digestion, enhanced immune function, healthier skin and a reduced risk of many chronic diseases. Probiotics are usually taken in supplement form like a capsule or liquid; but originally came from fermented foods. Such foods include: kimchi, sauerkraut, natto and miso, kombucha, and kefir. Increasing fibre intake will also assist in improving digestion. Most people are not getting enough fibre with the SAD (Standard American Diet). We live in a world of convenience and fibre is usually the first thing stripped out of processed foods and then added back in. If the food is left in its original state, the amount of fibre it contains is usually higher than the amount added back in to it. An example of this is white bread. Whole grain bread contains the whole germ, which is naturally higher in fibre. White bread has the wheat germ removed and then

fibre is added back in, which is not nearly as high in fibre as the whole germ. There are two types of fibre: soluble and insoluble and we need both for a healthy gut. It is recommended that we get at least 25-40 grams of fibre daily; but studies show that most people are only getting 5-14 grams daily. Fibre naturally helps remove toxins through elimination. Examples of sources of soluble fibre: oats, barley, and fruit. Insoluble fibre sources: whole unpolished rice, psyllium, and wheat germ. It’s important to increase water intake so that the fibre can do its job properly. It’s recommended to slowly increase the amount of fibre in our diet so that the gut doesn’t become inflamed with a big change all at once. Drinking 1-2L of water daily also improves digestion. Herbal teas are a great way to increase your water intake, or you can infuse water with fruit like berries, lemon, or cucumber for extra flavour and electrolytes. Learning how to manage daily stressors has a huge impact on our digestive health – sometimes even more than anything else! Deep breathing exercises, yoga, and spending time in nature are ideas that will help. Find what works for you to decrease your stress levels because what works for you – everyone is different. For more information on how to improve digestive health come visit the staff at Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery – we’re here to help! Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery and Health Food, 180 Central Rd unit #4, Duncan (Save On Foods Plaza) (250) 748-4421

Submitted by Rebecca Llewellyn

YOGA with Lilian Bianchi

I’ve Returned From The Fire With A Story To Tell

ave you ever experienced something in your life that moved you on such a deep level that you’ve wanted BODY, MIND to tell everyone you meet about it? Back in & SPIRIT February, 2018, I was in a very dark place personally, I wasn’t WINTER SESSION sleeping, I couldn’t seem to get myself out of the negative thought loops, and I was frankly spiraling out of * Beginners, Intermediate control. My husband was concerned as I and Ongoing levels was suicidal daily, and I spent time planning * Gentle Yoga how I would escape my world of suffering * Restorative Yoga and pain, knowing that most of it was * Breathing and Meditation emotional pain that was coming forward to * Partner Yoga Workshops be seen, held, accepted and loved. I just (January 19 & February 16) couldn’t pull myself together enough and Lilian Bianchi has been teaching I became wary of the Yoga since 1982 and is registered ‘fight’. I was medicated way with the Canadian Yoga past my comfort level significant Alliance as a RYT Gold. without pain reduction – an She is anti depressant, an anti-psychotic also an honourary and an opioid – member of the understandably my doctor was at his wits International end too, as sadly I was Federation a handful to be with and help. I didn’t even of Yoga. like being my self or being with my self. I was continuously Morning and Evening classes held looking on the outside at Namaste Yoga Studio and other for answers, ‘one person to help me’ as I locations in Duncan. learned to do… now I realize I had and have the answers inside of www.namasteyoga.ca me and they’ve been there all along… I just had to turn inward to hear my body and work with it to heal step by step and one day at a time.

called The Core Awakening is an absolutely amazing personal adventure into the depths of one’s self — shining light into those areas that we usually fear to shine the light on, me included. They are part lecture, demonstrations, experiential exercises, personal processing, noticing and selfawareness, journaling, body exercises, conscious breath work, role playing, therapeutic body exercises, and movement. At the end of each month on the last weekend, we were patiently guided by truly loving, supportive and compassionate facilitators who shared ways of understanding oneself and family of origin, belief systems, etc. that I had not come across in twenty years of my healing journey. The facilitators share their personal experiences too which is enriching; they are each Counselors in private practice who come together to engage participants with themselves and each other using Integrative Body Psychotherapy (IBP).

Enter Connected Living! Following a telephone interview with one of the facilitators, I was accepted into a loving and supportive group that would hold space for me when it became really messy and hard, and when I just needed to be reminded to just b-r-e-a-t-h-e. As a group, we bonded immediately -- we were united in our personal pursuit to connect and understand ourselves and others better, gain boundary awareness, emotional intelligence and awaken to who we really are. Little did I know at that time that I was embarking on a series of personal development workshops that would enlighten me, transform my way of thinking, help to heal my relationships, and change my very way of relating to and healing my body! Answered prayers at last. The transformational seminars that I attended for four weekends

I thoroughly enjoyed being with the others in our group as we shared our highs and lows with each other, riding the wave through it all with IBP -which is often referred to as the “missing link” by therapy clients and mental and medical health professionals who discover the IBP training program. What is “the missing link?” ~~ It’s the energetic sense of self and well being that is your true nature.

Honouring

January 7 - March 27

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At last, I felt seen, heard and understood! I was so glad to finally find help that included understanding, feeling and moving the stuck energy in my pain body, and allowing me the safe space to express my deep grief, depression, lack of self worth, self esteem and abandonment issues. Although it was challenging and I had to push through the sticky spots (growth edges!), I was really glad I was there and I was beginning to learn how I had abandoned my self and had gotten so off track over the years. My heart was opening. I was surrendering to what wanted to be healed within me. God was hearing my desperate prayers and answering them by surrounding me with loving and caring people that supported and saw me for real. I also knew the ‘old me’ was dying and the ‘new me’ was being birthed!

It’s your authentic inner voice, not the inner critic. Your inner voice is always there, but it becomes covered over by false beliefs about who you are. IBP works with your Body, Mind and Spirit using transformative breath and movement practices to eliminate old and outworn ways of being and to integrate new, healthy relational ways of being. Self-awareness leads to transformation. We all can benefit from healing work that helps us to understand ourselves and others better, connect with our true selves and live our passion and view our personal (emotional) pain and/or suffering with new perspective and new tools to help the body to heal; we all deserve that! … if suffering is part of being human, then healing your way out of suffering is surely to be part of it too. I’ve returned from the fire with a story to tell… If you’re ready to Re-connect with the Real You to Shine, and make a profound difference in your own life and in the lives of those around you, visit www. connectedlivingseminars.ca or be in touch with Shawna Hett at 250 709-5501 I’ll leave you with the following questions to ponder as 2019 rolls in! What if your blessings came through the storms of life? • What if your healing came through the very tears you have cried? • What if your darkness brought God’s light? What if your trials brought you strength? • What if your disappointments revealed a greater awareness of who you really are?

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Diana Pink is a retired organic Farmess emerging as a Holistic Health Practitioner helping others heal. dianaj@shaw.ca 250 597 2102

YOGA FOR WELLNESS

hange is something I think about often as a parent- it is easy to see the constant changes in my young son as he grows. Everything is changing; the seasons, our own perceptions, the cells in our body are ever changing. As my physical body changes due to various injuries and the natural aging process, my yoga practice is always changing. With these changes I ask myself: What movements can I practice in a mindful and gentle way that will nourish my joints and not create pain? One of the ways Yoga acts as a therapy, is that it address the whole body/mind/spirit; it aims to nourish the wholeness of being. Injuries can tend to compartmentalize; we focus on the hurt area and can become over focused there. These yoga movements/postures benefit tissues in the body above, around and below areas that may need addressing, thus supporting the injury in an indirect way. This month I am sharing a modified exercise from the Tensegrity Repair Series,. which when practiced can help realign and nourish fascia, assisting in the healing of injuries. I have been practicing this to aid in the repair of a wrist and shoulder injury, and find it soothing and regenerating to my shoulders and arms. With these types of movements it might be helpful to think less about WHAT we are doing; more of HOW we are doing it. Radiant Breath Lie on your back in Constructive Rest Pose: Knees are bent either touching together in centre or apart. Support head if needed.

Find Radiant Breath: First relax the breath completely. Place one hand on chest, one hand on belly. Bring inner awareness to centre of navel and observe the inhalation radiating out from this place. Naturally, feel the exhalation returning back to centre. Observe and feel this pattern as it is happening already naturally within. See if you can begin so sense the radiating quality of the breath as it spreads out from the centre of the body, out into the periphery, and back again. Chopping Wood This movement can have a warming effect, and is indicated for shoulder injuries or pain, hand or wrist pain, if you would like to increase the volume of your breath, upper back/shoulder blade tension . Practice with an open and curious awareness, a softness and ease in the shoulder girdle and rib cage. In constructive rest pose hands come together over heart centre with tips of fingers touching and thumbs touching- Fingers are tented, palms apart. Hands are going to gently float over head and then in a slow easeful way, move down toward pelvis/legs in Chopping Wood motion. Maintain soft quality to the breath, structures of the body and movement. Consider that there is a range of motion happening here- be sure the moment is pain free. You may feel some movement at the backs of the shoulder blades, If there is pain, back off and do less. Repeat slow movement about 10 times

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How might I soften even more? How might I back off the movement a little bit more? Rest Lindsay Campa as a Registered Massage Therapist, and Yoga Therapist practicing in the Cowichan Valley.

Happy New Year!

animals; and it rules money, wealth and banks. It is conservative. It values timetested tradition.

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Last year I predicted sexual secrets will continue, along with scandals about the media, universities, the church and foreign countries. (Russia springs to mind.) This year the big change for 2019 is the shift of Uranus into Taurus. The last time Uranus was in Taurus was from 1935 to 1942. Uranus challenges rigid structures. It fights power and tyranny on behalf of the everyday person. Uranus is the energy behind unions, Green Peace and Amnesty International. Its rallying cry is ìthe greatest good for the greatest number! Uranus represents technology, computers, the sky, aviation, air waves and the radio. For the last seven years, Uranus was in fiery Aries. an independent “ME” sign. Consider how the “Selfie” society exploded in that time! Aries is also militant, hence the #metoo movement with its overnight groundswell. But Uranus in Taurus will be very different: Taurus is tangible. It is Earth, the ground, the source of food. It is the sign of domesticated

New rules regarding banking will be introduced this year and in the next seven years. Revolutionary ideas will impact food production. There will be increased ìsharingî of goods ñ shared housing, shared cars, shared gardens, shared jobs. My advice is to protect what you have. Take care of what you own. Be financially prudent. Solidify your finances and get out of debt. Meanwhile, for the first time in 12 years, lucky Jupiter will dazzle because it is back in its own sign! This will benefit travel, education, publishing, the media and give everyone increased hope! (Hope is the feeling you have that the feeling you have isnít permanent.)

Georgia Nicols’s wisdom and wit have made her a popular international astrologer whose horoscope columns appear in the National Post, Calgary Herald, Winnipeg Free Press, Chicago Sun-Times, Press Democratic (Santa Rosa, California), China Daily (Beijing), and San Miguel (Mexico) as well as smaller weekly and monthly publications. She is a regular columnist in Elle Canada, The San Francisco Examiner, Washington Examiner (D.C.), and The Examiner (Baltimore), among others. Georgia’s book, You and Your Future is a best seller in Canada, and has international printings in three languages. (In Australia, it is published under the title “Your 40 Year Horoscope”). Why did this one-time movie and theatre critic choose this field? “To help people get a better handle on their lives - plus I find astrology absolutely fascinating!”

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

New Beginnings With Crystals And Ritual

ith the return of the light and the beginning of a new year, many may feel a sense of renewal and wonder what the year ahead holds. We may find stones like Amazonite and Tigers Eye to be wonderful allies as we contemplate our wishes for this fresh start. When used in meditation, Amazonite can help clarify our deepest dreams and hopes, and amplify our intentions. Amazonite supports us to make positive life changes and increases our faith in our self and our choices. Tigers eye can help us see things from a new perspective and encourage us to step outside of our comfort zone. It can give us the boost of confidence and courage needed as we set off to manifest our goals. Once our desires become clear we may wish to create a Spiritual wealth bowl ritual that supports bringing our thoughts and ideas into physical form with

intentions, treasures and goals. For this you will need a bowl, basket or shell to hold your spiritual and material world, and the following: 8 crystals such as- Tiger’s Eye, Aventurine, Citrine, Jade, Amethyst, Clear Quartz, Labradorite and Amazonite (stones that represents the material & spiritual world); 7 wishes, goals or intentions on paper, in present tense, with blue ink; Money; A smiling, happy photo of you; images that represent spirituality and inner peace for you; Treasures that have meaning; Images of family members/friends who make you happy; Something that’s gold in colour; Anything else that represents spiritual wealth to you. To begin the ritual smudge your environment and cleanse your crystals. Hold the crystals in your hands, close your eyes and take 3 deep breaths, with gratitude ask your crystals to hold the intention of spiritual abundance and unlimited possibilities. Find a place where your Bowl can remain and you’ll see it on a daily basis. Place the crystals at the bottom of the bowl, and begin layering the other items, reserving your gold item for the very top. State your Number 1 intention for your spiritual wealth out loud.

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Leave your Bowl in a place for 40 days or until you feel a shift. Feel free to add to the bowl or refresh its energy by placing it out in the Sun. Find manifestation tools, crystals and other everyday rituals in “Energy Muse”- available at CFS for the SOUL in the SOL Centre.

Venita Chow is an Integrative Energy Healing practitioner & Carolina Brand Venegas is a Fibre Artist- both crystal guardians at CFS for the SOUL.

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Listing Your Home in the New Year— Setting Yourself Up for Success:

hen it comes to selling a home, there are several reasons why people often choose to list their property at the beginning of a new year.

The TIme Is Now To Switch To Glass Straws

ave you ever thought of how small acts of conservation can collectively help our environment? Do you ever wonder how just a tiny bit of plastic from a straw can be so harmful to our Oceans? These little pieces of plastic are too small to be recycled easily and add up to over 500 million plastic straw waste in North America every single day. This is a huge problem as most of these straws end up in our oceans. An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of sea turtles end up with plastics in their stomachs causing a 50% mortality rate. Plastics also break down into micro plastics, which we are learning is not only detrimental to sea life, but also to us humans, who seem to have an appetite for shellfish and seafood. So what can be done about it? Ask your server the next time you are out to make your drink

straw less. Instead, you can bring along your own reusable or compostable version of a straw. Straws are available now in many different materials to suit your needs! You can choose from bamboo, stainless steel, glass and in a pinch, compostable paper. We prefer glass as it adds no altered flavor to your beverage, feels nice on your lips, and are easy to clean. Glass drinking straws are made out of borosilicate glass, the strongest glass available and are safe for all ages to use daily. You can also find them locally hand made right here in the Cowichan Valley by Enviro Glass Straw. Small choices can add up to big changes for our planet and now is the time to take this leap. By Leah Hayes enviroglassstraw@yahoo.ca

Feelings of prosperity and refreshed positive attitudes have buyers keen to start touring new neighbourhoods and visiting open houses. As lawns recover, daylight increases, and flowers begin to bloom; inventory often rises, resulting from new job opportunities or changes to family commitments. This can lead to buyers looking to purchase sooner, wrapping things up to coincide with the end of the school year, then moving and enjoying summertime in a new home. Before you go to list, give yourself an edge by spending some time to develop an understanding of current market information, and the real estate industry in British Columbia in general, so you can feel confident in your decision making. Here are several great online resources to help get you started: Real Estate Council of British Columbia –recbc.ca: This organization works to protect the public interest by enforcing the licensing and licensee conduct requirements of the Provincial Real Estate Services Act.

you can find information on your options as a consumer, responsibilities of buyers, sellers, and real estate licensees, types of contracts, legal obligations, and many other interesting topics. Vancouver Island Real Estate Board—vireb.com: This not-for-profit, memberbased association produces monthly statistical reports that analyze the Vancouver Island real estate market, from the Malahat to the Island’s northern tip. VIREB also has a search function where you can begin researching licensed real estate professionals in your area. Realtor.ca: Owned and operated by the Canadian Real Estate Association, Realtor.ca provides basic listing information for residential, commercial and rental properties across Canada. Real estate rules and regulations are always changing to better serve the needs of the public. By doing your research and working with a qualified professional that understands your needs and the latest regulations, you are positioning yourself for success.

The RECBC also publishes comprehensive guides where

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Caitlin McKenna is a licensed real estate agent with Sutton Group West Coast Realty serving the Cowichan Valley.

Talk About Co-Owning A Home

f you wanted to own a home and can’t seem to afford it, then co-ownership might be for you. Not only is it lower impact on our environment to share a home. its also easier on your finances. Sharing a mortgage, utility cost and the living space is all part of coownership. Co-ownership of a home can occur when two or more purchasers decide they want to purchase a home and share it. * Co-ownership can be possible for individuals who decide they would like to purchase and or share a home. You would basically own the home with someone else of like interest and financial ability and agree how to share the title. The best types of homes suited to this type of ownership would have a suite or suitable space for 2 or more people. Ideas for co-ownership styes could be: 1. A home that has a legal suite or in-law suite with two kitchens, two or more bedrooms and bathrooms. 2. A home that simply has two or more bedrooms and a sharable kitchen and one or more bathrooms. 3. A home that has the possible layout to create a suite in the home.*

4. A home with an additional building on the property that has sewer and water and electricity with added expense to renovate. 5. A home owner who already owns a home can sell a share in their home to make payments more affordable. This is a possible alternative to down-sizing. The co-ownership in the simplest form can be 50/50 or it can be shared in a disproportionate ways, where one owner may have more equity or larger or smaller down payment own a greater or lesser amount of the space. Requirements for sharing title in a home involve a legal agreement between two or more individuals and advice from lawyers suggesting the best way to be represented on the title. Tenancy In Common. is one typical way to be on the tiitle for the property. The requirements to purchase also include sharing the mortgage and legal agreements on how that will occur. You do not have to be friends or family with the co-owner. * The other owner may be a co-worker or a colleague , or retiree, or any individual with common ownerships goals and similar timelines for owning the home. If this all sounds complicated let a qualified REALTOR can help you go through the steps to co-own a home.

As an experienced REALTOR and home owner, I can help make this possible. I suggest that people interested in Co-ownership to contact me for “matchmaking” possibilities in sharing a home through co-ownership. *Any shared co-ownership is subject to local zoning bylaws which may or may not

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Transport Canada moved ahead and implemented the Interim Protocol for the Use of Southern BC Anchorages, and in August it was announced it would be extended by one year. That protocol is not working for the community.

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Alistair MacGregor is the MP for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford and the federal NDP’s Critic for Agriculture

ancouver Island’s southern coast is home to a wide array of unique marine species, and it is world-renowned as a coveted destination for nature lovers seeking all types of adventure, from fishing and whale watching to boating and sight-seeing. Readers will agree: our idyllic coast is a special place and a sensitive environment with a vast history we hold dear and must protect. In recent years, residents in the region have seen an enormous influx of freighter traffic in the anchorages throughout the southern coast and amongst the Gulf Islands, which have been caused by delays and inefficiencies at the Port of Vancouver. These vessels, sometimes the length of 300 metres, have increased in frequency and number, and they are anchored for longer and longer periods of time. Some crews have been observed fishing off the bow and power washing the decks directly into the ocean. There are reports of frequent noise from power tools and generators, and the navigation lights, which are required at night by international maritime law, are so bright that residents on shore can read books in their homes from the light they cast. On February 8th of this year

On September 20th, I raised these concerns on behalf of residents, especially the Penelakut First Nation, who has written to the Minister of Transportation regarding the presence of these massive ships on their traditional and unceded territories. They have expressed their frustration and concern with the lack of genuine sincerity shown by the federal government in resolving these anchorages. The following week, on September 28th, Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Sheila Malcolmson and I hosted a roundtable discussion with stakeholders, municipal representatives, and First Nations. What we heard was unanimous – that something must be done to find resolution to the never-ending cycle of tanker traffic and the danger it poses to local communities and our precious marine environment. Local First Nations have described Transport Canada’s consultations as superficial. This is an important issue because First Nations are not stakeholders, not in the normal sense of the word. They are rights holders, as guaranteed under our Constitution and upheld by numerous Supreme Court rulings. These anchorages were established on their traditional and unceded territories with no consultation and no consent. The Government of Canada has acknowledged, along with all Members of the House of Commons, that First Nations’ rights are important and cannot be ignored. It’s time for the government to find a solution and to stop using their traditional and unceded territories as a parking lot for freighters.

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

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’ve lived in Duncan a block and a half from Rotary park for six years and I walk my dogs there twice a day, nearly every day. I call it the jewel of our city. Natural, well maintained, and used by many as a calm, clean place to let our dogs run off-leash and play in the river. The city of Duncan is considering gentrifying it. The city of Duncan is trying to get as much input as possible into future changes from the park’s users. Possible additions to the twenty-three-acre park include questionable ideas like a petting zoo and a bridge that would span to the South side. Semi-

questionable ideas are camp sites, kayak docks, and more swimming spots on the river. There is a suggestion of “nature learning centers”. Nature is her own learning center, and Rotary Park has lots of nature to explore as it is. There are several children’s playgrounds elsewhere in Duncan where dogs aren’t allowed. We don’t need to tempt fate by installing a playground, as offered, in Rotary Park. But the big push back is the city considering fencing in the dogs. The survey that ended on December 16th only offered three options of fenced dog areas. Keeping things as-is was not offered. This has dog people losing their minds. Rotary Park is currently the ideal off-leash area with plenty of trails, fields, water, and space. I have never seen a nasty dog incident in all of my hours in the park and part of that is because of all the space available. Dogs in fences can feel trapped and may fight to defend themselves. There is already a fenced dog park that is well used in Duncan for people that can’t release their

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1059 CANADA AVE DUNCAN Power Lunch dog in a large park. Fenced in dog areas are made for dogs that like to play with other dogs. Most dogs just want to go for a nature walk with their boss. They want to sniff around, maybe greet other dogs and carry on. These dogs, the majority, are bored stiff in fenced dog areas. You’ll see them just standing around while their boss chats with a friend or checks his phone. Now, I understand that Duncan is maturing, but not everything needs to be “improved”. I like the idea of updating the sports field buildings. I like the idea of making the park more accessible to people who need easier access. I like the idea of acquiring more land. I also feel we could be an example to other small cities that people and dogs can coexist peacefully and without fear. With many of the private off-leash areas that we used to trespass on being

fenced off by the owners and the population of Duncan growing, now is a good time to establish Rotary Park as the “Jewel of the City” and let us dog owners have our one space. Let us prove that we can be responsible dog owners and leash our dogs if they’re jerks and pick up our poop and let the City of Duncan know that we value all parks for their various qualities. Although the survey ended, there is still time to let the city of Duncan know your thoughts about this beautiful park. Please take some time to share your ideas with them, even if you want a petting zoo.

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Sarah Smith is a Registered Acupuncturist Japanese Style & Outdoor Expedition Guide summitacu@ gmail.com

o you have you set your sights to soar but are struggling to open those wings? What leads us all to set goals and to call on our willpower this time of year? I believe that when new beginnings come, we allow ourselves to break free from our self-limiting beliefs of who we are and/or what we can do, and we dream big for ourselves. It is human nature to desire to grow our abilities, to become all that we can, to achieve whatever it is that calls to us. So why do we find ourselves so frequently in a pile of self-judgements and disappointments only a few weeks after our inspired January first resolutions? My years of time spent in the clinic have allowed me to reflect on this “why”, and the answer always comes back to willpower. If you’re reading this and saying to yourself “Oh great, well if willpower is the key, then my dream door will be staying shut because I have used up all of my willpower!”, then know that as an Acupuncturist I have written this article just for you! There is a reason you are feeling defeated, and you are not alone in thinking that you’ve drained your willpower. However, willpower is something you can train back up and build, just like a muscle. Willpower may be the most frequently but improperly used ‘muscle’ we humans possess. If you can become proficient in using and training your own willpower, you can ultimately apply the skill to any endeavour you wish to pursue. Without selfdiscipline or putting in the effort today, the dream of a better tomorrow will always

be just that, a dream. Let’s take a look at why your willpower muscle may not be feeling so strong these days. Our current society is structured in such a way that we are constantly bombarded with choices, temptations, and distractions - all of which slowly leak out our willpower. An example of this energy drain is with our daily food choices. The average person makes 271 choices a day in regards to what they will or will not eat and drink. It’s time to ditch the “Should I this or this?”, as this drains a large chunk of your willpower reserves every day. And no, avoiding food choices by not eating is not building willpower, as your brain requires food for fuel to mentally exercise willpower in the first place. Here’s a hot tip on building willpower reserves in regards to food: meal planning! Pre-cook large portions of the week’s meals on your Sunday afternoon. Having these pre-homecooked meals allows for you to not only make healthier eating choices during the week but also frees up an incredible amount of time. And this saved time translates to a huge increase in your willpower stores that can be used towards things you actually want to work on and achieve. I am a big believer in practicing what you preach, so in the last months of 2018, I have been preparing meals and I cannot believe my increase in willpower! My energy and motivation to do more of the things I both desire and need to do have tripled! In regards to limiting temptations you experience daily, make agreements with yourself about budgeting. An example would be to allow yourself 1-2 small treats a day. Food is a joy in life, but honour yourself and stick to the 1-2 and small! The same budgeting mentality applies to leisurely screen activities like video games

or TV; partake in them daily but set a time boundary for yourself and stick to it to honour yourself! When you make commitments to yourself and break them, you are about as far away from self-love as you can get, but if you perform self-discipline you honour yourself and are practicing selflove. Remember, without showing self-discipline by putting in the actions and effort today, the dream of a better tomorrow will always be just that, a dream. Try to budget time and amounts of ‘treats’, and work to eliminate self-criticism! Self-criticism backfires as a form of selfcontrol and drives you to comfort coping activities which are often in direct contrast to your goals. Whenever and wherever possible, try to limit factors in your life that drain your Willpower, as this will equate to more willpower to fuel your successes!

Willpower :the muscle behind any pair of soaring wings Photo; Alison Millington

How To Grow Your Willpower With Success And Support!

Now grow your inner willpower strengths! Willpower is about your relationship with your present self. Knowing how you currently feel in your physical, spiritual and mental

health is key to walking this path. Seeking tools that foster self-connection are critical to increasing your willpower muscle’s capacity. Know that if you feel your willpower diminishing you can combat it with a number of techniques, and that developing a relationship to yourself doesn’t have to happen alone. My goal at Summit Acupuncture is to treat and educate patients with ancient therapeutic techniques & tools addressing connections to self and assisting folks to find their willpower, spread their wings, and soar with power!

1-778-554-5434 I tarynogormandesigns.com

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Radio, to explore the expressive depths of works by Schumann, Brahms, and other great German masters. Sunday, January 13, 2pm at St. Michael’s Church, Chemainus

CALLING NEW SINGERS Calling new singers to join Our Lila Community Choir! Do you want to sing? Are you craving a joyful community atmosphere to share your voice in harmony with others ? We sing a diverse variety of songs and move to the music. Join our all inclusive, non auditioned established choir! Join us on Wednesdays beginning January 9, 5:30 pm - 7 pm Lila Music Centre Yurt, 3228A Gibbins Rd, Duncan, sliding scale $7-$15/class. 5 fun sessions - January 9th to February 6th 250 710 4174 CariBurdett.com

COWICHAN CONSORT CHOIR Want to sing with an orchestra? We are the Valley’s only full orchestra with a choir of nearly 50 for each concert they perform in. Come and learn the Duruflé Requiem for our May 4th concert. January 9th is the first practice for choir 7 pm-9pm at Sylvan United Church in Mill Bay. Car pooling can be arranged. All singers welcome, especially men. perfectpitch75@ icloud.com

CONNECT WITH NATURE Dr. John Scull will resume his free one-hour nature-connecting events on Saturdays. Free and open to everyone. Dress for the weather and please arrive on time. January 12, 1:30PM Rotary Park at the end of McKinstry Rd. in Duncan. For more information call 250-715-5261.

AMPLIFY HER What does feminine expression look like if women feel free and safe to express themselves? Nicole Sorochan and Ian MacKenzie’s kinetic film Amplify Her offers new perspectives on women’s creativity and leadership, following the lives of female DJs. Playing at Collective Space Movie Nights, January 18 ,6:30pm, Collective Space, 166 Station St, $12, collectivespace. org/hooviemovie

BYZANTINE LINKS WORKSHOP

EXPLORING GERMAN COMPOSERS Chemainus Classical Concerts presents:“Exploring German Composers” - Philip Manning - violin, and Robert Holliston - piano Gifted and passionate violinist Philip Manning, a recent addition to Victoria Symphony, joins forces with versatile and inimitable pianist Robert Holliston, Pacific Opera Victoria’s principal coach and frequent guest on CBC

the magic of traditional music alive. They fuse appalachian oldtime with celtic, classical, folk, cajun and original compositions. Expect anything from high energy hoedowns to beautiful, melodic listening sets. Hailing from the East Coast and the West Coast, these ramblers bring both sides of the continent together for the love of traditional music. High Quadra Ramblers on Saturday, January 26th in the Chapel at Providence Farm. Doors: 7PM Show: 7:30PM Tickets $15 at Duncan Music and online through www.barelynorth.com.

HIGH QUADRA RAMBLERS The High Quadra Ramblers are Mack Shields on fiddle and vocals and Kaitlin Chamberlin on banjo, vocals and stepdancing: a powerhouse duo keeping

Byzantine Link Bracelet. An adventure into basic Chain Mail. Byzantine chain mail is a design used in jewelry that creates a rope-like texture and an intriguing pattern. The chain is quite flexible, draping gracefully on the wrist.Wednesday January 30, 3:30 - 5:30 pm - #2 - 378 Trunk Road $15 + Materials. Island Gem and Bead Supply Ltd. IslandGem@shaw.ca 250 597-4369

Rob’s Lighthouse Eatery & Art Gallery Fresh, friendly, affordable and pet-friendly! OpenED Daily 8am-6pm Heated patio or take out • • • • •

Website Design & Development Social Media Marketing Search Engine Optimization AdWords, Facebook, PPC Consulting & Training

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Grilled Seasoned Fish & Chicken Great Burgers, Fries, Wraps & More!

Dine In on our heated patio or Take Out! Cowichan Bay

DIRECTORY OF LOCAL SERVICES

Valley Voice Magazine readers directory a great way to discover local services and businesses. 2 sizes of ad space are available to suit every business message and budget. Affordable, stylish and straight to the point.

Directory Size A - 1 logo + 8-12 word listing Full Colour 1 X $63 6X $53 12X $43 Black & White 1 X $52 6X $42 12X $32

Contact Adrienne Richards for more info 250 510 6596 or by phone to adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

Deadline January 15 for February 2019 Issue 123 Acupuncture A practice focused on health solutions through Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Online booking & direct billing. Kevin Ianson R.Ac, R.TCMP, D.DTCM

4705 Trans Canada Hwy I 250-889-9066 I www.pestleandpins.com

It’s your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.

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Computers

Challenges

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”

In-Home Computer Lessons

John Steinbeck

Organizing your computer Office Programs Business Office Assistance

Social Media Website Building PC’s and Mac’s

Call Nettie: 250-510-0408 Website: www.inhomecomputerlessons.com E-mail: nettekevw@gmail.com Framing and Local Art

Employment

139 Station St. 250-748-3311 ssgfs@telus.net Professional Framing •Local Art •Unique Gifts Help Wanted

Busy organic spa and boutique in Duncan seeks Registered Massage Therapist or other therapists to rent room email to soulescape@shaw.ca

Choose us to promote your business and services. Over 30,000 readers! Contact Adrienne Richards 250 510 6596 adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com for a 2017 Rate Card.

Farms & Food

More than a Meat Shop

Gluten Free/Organic Pasta’s, Organic Meat, Homemade Sausage, International Foods. The Duncan Butcher 430 Trans Canada Hwy 250 748 -6377

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Health and Healing Customizable Organic Mattresses, Pillows, Linens Locally made Platform Beds and Furniture 126 Station St. 250-597-REST (7378) www.resthouse.ca

ISLAND ROLFING

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Reﬂexology & Chi Wellness

Reiki, Thai Foot Reﬂexology, Indian Head Massage

3-1 Foot Reﬂexology sessions for $120 TERRI LEWIS 250-701-8962 www.terriswellness.com Relax, Rest & Repair, to help your body heal naturally

If you could change anything in your life, what would you choose? Accessing your Consciousness Duncan Certiﬁed Facillitator of Change Conny Kleinschmidt 780 712 9663

Psychic

Spiritual Medium - Psychic * Spiritual Mediumship * Energy Healing

* Card Readings * Empowerment Sessions

Call Sacred Silence 250-710-5287 or facebook: Sacred Silence

Wishing you a new year rich with the blessings of love, joy, warmth, and laughter. Pet Care Debbie Wood Certified Animal Naturopath Carnivore Nutritionist

Support from the inside Monday-Thursday 250-597-7364

Bioenergetic Balancing with Magnets & Energy Healing

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Kathryn Lowther - Biomagnetism & HUE Energy Healer 250-891-5138 www.biomagcanada.ca

REFLEXOLOGY

Indian Head Massage Enabling your body to heal itself, naturally.

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STOP SMOKING, LOSE WEIGHT, REMOVE FEARS Helena Jehnichen, Certiﬁed Clinical Hypnotherapist

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Restore your digestive system with Colon Hydrotherapy. Your health is the only wealth that matters!

Michelle Bird Colon Hydrotherapist

250-510-3540 Sol Centre 5380 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan I www.thecleansingroom.com

Amra offers 35 years of Telephone: Intuitive Tarot-Angel Readings, Distance Reiki-Kofutu, Grief Counselling www.steppingstonestohealing.com 403.454.0556 Appointments

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. Dolly Parton Property Services

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tool for reducing emissions without harming the economy. Romer, a New York University professor and World Bank chief economist and senior vice-president until January 2018, argues policies that foster education and innovation and encourage firms to develop new ideas can spur economic growth and novel solutions.

Economists’ Nobel puts spotlight on climate solutions As the U.S. administration denies or downplays climate science, some more sensible Americans have been rewarded for developing climate solutions. Economists William Nordhaus and Paul Romer recently won the Nobel Prize in economics for their work on, respectively, “integrating climate change into long-run macroeconomic analysis” and “integrating technological innovations into long-run macroeconomic analysis.” The award is not without controversy, but it’s telling that such a prestigious honour went to people who offer pragmatic tools for action on an urgent crisis their government refuses to even acknowledge. Yale University professor Nordhaus developed a crude model in the 1970s to explore how economic activity affects the climate system and the role policy might play in solutions. He used it to demonstrate that putting a price on carbon pollution would be an efficient

Therein lies the controversy. Both are mainstream economists who believe economic growth is the ultimate goal of society, and both have used models illsuited to understanding how growth affects the environment. Nordhaus has been criticized for failing to understand the model used in the Club of Rome’s influential 1972 report The Limits to Growth, and dismissing it based on his misunderstanding. Many economists and others argue that economic growth is a poor way to measure a society’s progress and that it contributes to issues like climate change. “I would say [this prize] is the last hurrah of a certain old guard of the economics profession that want to preserve the idea of growth at all costs,” Julia Steinberger, ecological economist at the U.K.’s University of Leeds, told Science magazine. Still, there’s no denying Nordhaus and Romer’s influence on climate policy and economics. Nordhaus’s carbon pricing work is solid and has convinced many jurisdictions to adopt it. And Romer’s evaluation of possibilities is refreshing. “People think protecting the environment will be so costly and so hard that they want to ignore the problem and pretend it doesn’t exist,” he said after the Nobel announcement. “Once we start to try to reduce

carbon emissions, we’ll be surprised that it wasn’t as hard as we anticipated.” Rather than time-wasting arguments with people who reject climate science or humanity’s role, these are the kinds of debates we should be having. Our economic system poses significant challenges around global warming. Some think it will take nothing less than overturning capitalism to address the crisis, while others believe capitalism facilitates the kind of innovation and change that can get us out of our mess. In between, economists and thinkers have proposed many ways of measuring progress and developing economic systems that are compatible with sustainable societies. Former World Bank economist Herman Daly launched a whole new research program in ecological economics with his proposal for “steady state economics.” Kate Raworth’s ideas about “doughnut economics” show how human well-being can be achieved within planetary boundaries. Most economists following their lead agree that a healthy climate requires us to move to a post-growth economy with well-being rather than increasing material wealth as the goal. Nordhaus and Romer are speaking to conventional

audiences, but at least they’re speaking with conviction that humanity faces a crisis that must be resolved — and they’re offering solutions. Some of their ideas, such as pricing carbon pollution, are essential; others fall within an economic paradigm that is increasingly being questioned. That Nordhaus and Romer received a Nobel Prize for climate work illustrates a contradiction in the U.S. — and, by extension, the world — between people and institutions (including many local governments) working to resolve the climate crisis and a national government and many in industry that have chosen to ignore the problem and often mislead the public about it. Regardless of what one thinks of these economists’ work and whether or not it deserves a Nobel, it’s refreshing to see a major economics prize recognizing work on climate change and policies that will enable the transition to an economy powered by zerocarbon energy sources. David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Senior Editor Ian Hanington.

Learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org.

Fresh, Local and David Suzuki is a scientist, All-Natural Food created broadcaster, author and cofrom the founder of the DavidHeart Suzuki

Foundation. Written with

David Excellent food and contributions Excellentfrom Service

corporate • special events •Suzuki weddings • fundraising Foundation Senior Editor Ian Hanington. Outdoor Food Truck Service to Full Service Indoor Events Learn more at Azam Khan (250) 701-8593 www.davidsuzuki.org. www.vieventcatering.com I viec@shaw.ca

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Iona Rocks, Catherine Fraser

Cowichan Valley Probus Club Are you retired? Semi-retired? New to the Valley or a long-time resident? Interested in socializing with no strings attached and in monthly presentations from inspiring speakers on a wide variety of topics? Opportunities for monthly activities with likeminded individuals? We would love to have you join us at the Cowichan Valley Probus Club the first Tuesday of each month.

Catherine Fraser Spirit of Place - Isle of Iona Cowichan Bay based artist Catherine Fraser is getting ready for an upcoming show in Victoria titled Spirit Of Place-Isle Of Iona. The show depicts her four trips to Iona, Scotland a mystical island off the coast of western Scotland, the inner Hebrides which is reached from the island of Mull. “ As a teenager and young adult I read about Iona and Findhorn. There is an interest in my Scottish roots and my father was born in Scotland. My first trip resulted as an invitation to travel with women from British Columbia, England and California, a group of woman called “Iona Dreamers”. The trip came at a time of Scottish Tourism calling the year a time of Scottish Homecoming or Coming Home. After the initial visit to Iona and on 3 subsequent visits, I discovered each trip has its own invitation, exploration and new beginnings. Iona calls to me energetically, there is a sense of replenishing and renewal, a heightened sense of energy which moves me artistically. It appeals to me that for centuries and especially since the 1800’artists,painters,poets, musicians, the religious and the spiritual have been drawn and inspired by the place. It is

an amazing place of geology, archeology, spirituality and connections. My work is informed by the beauty of nature and the nature of spirit. I paint plain air, paint in my room over looking the abbey and in chapels, capturing the essence of experiences. Artwork done on Iona ranged from photography to plain air painting in watercolour, to touch drawings, and veil paintings. On her last visit there she sat in Fingal’s Cave and created a video with Mendelssohn’s music. “My visit unexpectedly coincided with the eclipse of the moon, walking outside at night and at sunrise.” Upon her return Catherine completed a series of large abstract pieces, worked with the video, continued to do touch drawings and now using oils on photographs and many sketch books have been done that I call doodles or automatic drawings.

Our name “Probus” is derived from “Pro” (Professional) and “Bus” (Business). We currently have approximately 80 members from all walks of life and are one of 21 clubs on Vancouver Island and 239 across Canada, with over 34,000 members nation-wide! We meet at the Cowichan Golf and Country Club at 10 am with some time to mingle and chat. Free coffee and tea are available all morning. The meeting itself begins at 10:30 with short activity reports, an occasional member bio – and some hilarious jokes from the President! A coffee/tea break follows with a book exchange and 50-50 draw. The main focus each month is a presentation or speaker for approximately one hour on a subject of interest to the membership. A few recent presentations have included such diverse topics as: Flying the Concord and Air Crash Investigations; valuable updates on Wills and Estates; The Humpback Comeback; illustrated

travel adventures to Iceland, Northern Pakistan, Antarctica, Cambodia, and China; advice on Falls Prevention and Lifeline Help; scintillating Stories of Nootka Sound; an eye-opening School Orchards of Africa Project, and many more. Several outings and small group activities are organized throughout the year, including a monthly lunch out, a cribbage group, guided hikes in the area, a fine dining evening twice a year, one or two theatre performances, an annual summer picnic, and a delicious Christmas buffet lunch. The full-year annual club fee is $60 per person with a one-time initiation fee of $20. And you are welcome to attend three free meetings to “test-drive” the club before joining. All that is needed is to show up and mention you are a guest: Cowichan Golf and Country Club, 4955 Trans-Canada Hwy at Bench Road, Duncan *First Tuesday of each month 10:00 am *Our first meeting in 2019 is Tuesday, January 8 (not Jan. 1!), followed by Tuesday. February 5. For any further information, please contact Executive member Sylvia Smith at sylvia@ecsweb. com or phone 250-746-7549 Submitted by Bob Skelton, Member-at-Large.

Spirit Of Place Isle of Iona at The Chapel Gallery, St Matthias 600 Richmond Ave Victoria, January 18 - February 22, 2019 Saturdays, Tuesday, Thursdays: 10am-2pm

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley